The lack of public awareness of conditions puppy mill dogs live in and the continued demand for puppies at pet stores, online and through newspapers has led to the abuse, neglect and suffering of thousands of puppies.
New dog owners pay the price with sick puppies, expensive vet bills and devastating heartbreak. So how did puppy mills get started and what can be done to stop them from continuing?
History of Puppy Mills
According to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), puppy mills came into being in the late 1940s after crop failures in the West led to a need for a new ‘cash crop’. The United States Department of Agriculture promoted purebred dogs as a substitute for farmers.
The farmers used pens and crates originally designed for chickens and rabbits to house their stock, then bred the dogs to supply newly opened pet stores with puppies.
Puppy mills spread East in the 1970s when Amish farmers were encouraged to breed dogs to supply puppy brokers with more stock to sell to pet stores.
The HSUS (Humane Society of the United States) points to weak legislation and poor enforcement as being a factor in the continuing operations of puppy mills in the US.
What is Life Like in a Puppy Mill?
The dogs kept for breeding in a puppy mill are often neglected and lack basic veterinary care, cleaning, grooming and social interaction.
The dogs spend most, if not all, their time in a kennel or left outdoors without proper shelter. Females are bred repeatedly until their fertility declines at which point they are auctioned to other puppy mills or killed.
Dogs with serious health problems, including genetic disorders, are bred without regard to the health and well being of their offspring. Stop Puppy Mills, an awareness campaign by the HSUS, reports on rescued breeding dogs that suffered from severe neurological impairment, blindness, deafness and serious skin disorders – all genetically transferable to their offspring.
Puppies and their parents are also susceptible to numerous parasites, viruses, skin disorders and social problems caused by confinement, unsanitary conditions and a lack of proper handling.
Where are Puppy Mill Dogs Sold?
According to the HSUS “Several hundred thousand puppies are shipped cross-country to be sold in pet shops, but many are sold via newspaper classifieds or Internet sites”.
Stories of puppies bought from puppy mills through websites, newspapers and pet stores abound and show the extent of heartbreak caused by puppies dying within days or weeks of purchase, costing hundreds or thousands of dollars in desperate attempts to save them or suffering years of genetic disorders caused by irresponsible breeding practices.
What is Being Done to Stop Puppy Mills?
Both the ASPCA and HSUS, along with international organizations, are trying to support legislation changes. They advocate for public awareness knowing that consumer demand will continue to support puppy mills and the retailers who profit from their sales.
When purchasing a dog, consumers need to be responsible – by either adopting a dog from a shelter or ensuring they are buying from a responsible breeder that takes proper care of their dogs and puppies.
Both the ASPCA and HSUS promote public awareness of puppy mills and advocacy groups to help change legislation.
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