ABOUT PUPPY MILLS
PUPPIES FOR SALE IN PET SHOPS, ONLINE ADS, CRAIGSLIST AND EVEN SOME 'RESCUE' GROUPS ARE ALMOST ALWAYS FROM PUPPY MILLS OR 'BACKYARD BREEDERS'
WHAT IS A PUPPY MILL?
A puppy mill is a substandard breeding facility for dogs. These dogs are kept in the same small wire cage their entire lives, and many never touch a foot on grass or solid ground.
A female is bred on her first heat cycle and bred constantly after until she can no longer reproduce, at which point she is killed by being shot, drowned, hit in the head with a heavy object, or starved to death. Puppies that do not sell will also often suffer a similar fate.
These facilities rarely have heat or air conditioning so dogs freeze to death in the winter or die of heat stroke in the summer. Puppies can literally cook to death on the hot wire cage floor.
Frequently, cages are stacked so the puppies and dogs below are urinated and defecated on by the dogs above. That is, if the cage floor has not yet solidified with waste from years of not being cleaned.
Puppies are taken from their mothers at too young an age only to be crammed into a semi and shipped to pet stores across the country. Though pet stores typically cannot sell puppies until they are 8 weeks old, this does not mean they are this old when their long journey on the road begins.
COMMON RED FLAGS
The majority of puppies you see for sale online, in ads, at “dog shows” and even on Facebook, are puppy mill puppies. There are even “rescue groups” that fraudulently represent their status in order to sell puppy mill dogs.
Puppy mill dogs are often housed in facilities that are similar to farm like settings or are farm buildings. Often these dogs come with extreme health issues, high price tags and zero recourse. You are never allowed inside the facility, and often will be asked to meet at a location offsite. You are not permitted to meet the parents, and may receive little to no information regarding vet information because there is no professional care given.
FARM SETTINGS
NO VISITS ALLOWED
NO PARENTS INTRODUCED
NO MEDICAL RECORDS
HIGH PRICE TAG
WHAT ABOUT THE LAW?
Registered puppy mills are overseen by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. There are a very limited number of agents assigned to very large areas, and virtually no way to police these practices.
There are also no formidable ways to enforce the laws and humane treatment of animals. Puppy mill operators also utilize tactics to move animals around, disappear them, and stay ahead of announced and scheduled inspections. Many simply just do not register their businesses.
Unfortunately, rules in Ohio are very loose when it comes to the oversight of puppy mills and ultimately the humane treatment of animals. You can help by contacting your State Representative and Senator and asking them help in our fight against puppy mills.
WHAT IS A RESPONSIBLE BREEDER?
Unfortunately, puppy mills have damaged the image of good traditional dog breeders. A responsible breeder ensures dogs are well cared for, healthy, properly socialized, and raised in the home as the family pets they are meant to be.
To find a responsible breeder, be sure to visit the home from which your puppy is coming from. If a breeder offers to ship the puppy to you, likely it is a puppy mill. If the breeder is not critiquing YOU, walk away. Likely, this breeder is only in it for the money and you may end up with a very sick puppy.
Responsible breeders ask potential buyers to sign a contract, agreeing that they must bring the dog back at any time they find they can no longer keep it.
HEALTHY + SOCIALIZED
PROPER MEDICAL CARE + TESTING
SAFE AND CLEAN HOME
IN PERSON VISITS
MEET THE PARENTS AND LITTER
PROPER MATCHING + PLACEMENT
Once you visit the home your puppy is coming from, be sure to ask to see the parents and litter mates of the puppy. Look at their living situation and their sociability. Take a good look around the property and listen carefully. Sometimes hundreds of dogs are tucked away in a barn, hidden from potential buyers.
A great way to ensure you are buying from a responsible breeder is to get your vet to refer you to a breeder they are familiar with. Responsible breeders also have no problem sharing with you the contact information of people who have purchased from them in the past. Be sure to contact others to find out their experience with the breeder and their puppy.
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?
The most important thing you can do to help stop puppy mills is to never purchase a puppy from a pet store or irresponsible breeder. Talk to friends and family about the reality of what a puppy mill is, and help to educate and spread the word about these practices. Many times we hear that folks “felt so bad” and “it was like rescuing the dog”. While a situation may be so dire, it is still ultimately supporting the puppy mill practice and ultimately the abuse, neglect and death of dogs.
Join us in advocating, protesting and supporting the fight against puppy mills. The more people that join us, the more our voice will be heard.
Contact your State Representative and Senator and ask them to support legislation enforcing stricter rules pertaining to the treatment of these dogs. Tell them how important this is for the current and future well being of thousands and thousands of dogs and puppies.
If you have information involving a possible crime involving puppy mills or have insider knowledge of a puppy mill, please contact The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) Puppy Mill Tip Line is 1-877-MILL-TIP (1-877-645-5847)
IF I WANT A CERTAIN BREED/DOG, WHY WOULD I CONSIDER A SHELTER OR RESCUE?
Did you know that over 25% of the dogs brought into shelters are purebred? Be sure to check out your local shelter and tools like Petfinder. Petfinder is a great resource to search by breed, age, location and more.
You may be surprised at the gems you find!
Did you know that for every human born there are 45 dogs and cats born? Or that only 1 out of 10 puppies born gets a home? Only 1 out of 8 kittens born get a home?
Did you also know that 800 dogs and cats are put to sleep every HOUR?
By adopting from a rescue or shelter, you truly are saving a life.