These canine breeding
facilities frequently house dogs in shockingly poor conditions, particularly
for "breeding stock" animals who are caged and continually bred for years,
without human companionship and with little hope of ever becoming part of a
family. After their fertility wanes, breeding animals are commonly killed,
abandoned or sold to another mill. The annual result of all this breeding is
hundreds of thousands of puppies, many with behavior and/or health problems.
DON’T buy a pet from a pet
store, over the Internet, through newspaper ads, at a flea market or from a
backyard breeder—even a neighbor whose dog “accidentally”—or
intentionally—got pregnant.
DO adopt your next pet from your local shelter or breed rescue group.
Or if you decide to adopt from a breeder, make sure they are reputable.
All reputable breeders provide detailed genealogical information dating back
several generations, will have the mother available for you to meet (who
will appear clean, well cared for and happy), should always provide a health
guarantee and may require that you spay or neuter your pet as a part of the
purchase agreement should you not be a licensed breeder yourself.
DO contact your state senators and representatives and ask them to support
any legislation that would protect animals in breeding facilities. Let
them know you are aware of puppy mills and that you want them to do
something about them.
DO report inhumane conditions and animal neglect and abuse to your local
authorities.
DO educate others. Tell your family, friends and neighbors about the plight
of dogs bred in puppy mills and encourage them to adopt from shelters and
rescue groups.
DO sign petitions that encourage putting an end to puppy mills and other
forms of animal cruelty.
DO spay and neuter your own pets and encourage others to do so.
DO support your local animal shelter by making donations and volunteering.
Remember, for every puppy bought at a flea market, over the Internet or
from a neighbor who wanted “Fluffy” to have “just one” litter, there is
another litter of puppies being put to sleep at your local shelter.
