A puppy mill is a large dog breeding facility where profit is given priority over the well-being of the dogs. Dogs are bred without the consideration of quality. A puppy mill can range from 10-1000 breeding dogs (yes, 1000). Bitches are bred with each and every opportunity, without breaks between litters. Many of the bitches become physically ill. Many of the puppies born will have hereditary defects. Now, when you look at that cute puppy in the window, just think of its mother or father whimpering for help.

Puppy mills are over crowded and extremely unsanitary. The dogs do not receive any veterinary care or meet basic grooming requirements. The dogs are most likely kept in cages with wire flooring that can seriously injure their paws or legs. Breeding bitches will spend most of their life either outside in a large kennel, exposed to all of the elements, or crammed in a filthy room with no exposure to sunlight. They never take a breath of fresh air or run through fresh cut grass.

Bitches and studs are both treated equally badly. The puppies born get weaned from their mother at a very young age, and most of the puppies born do not make it very long. Many are born with Giardia, Parvovirus, Distemper, Upper Respiratory Infection, Kennel Cough, and more. If you are purchasing a puppy from a pet store, they will tell you your puppy has a “clean bill of health,” but nine out of ten times that isn’t the case. Please think about adopting!

Before I knew about the horror of pet stores and puppy mills, my family purchased a dog. Luckily, we did not have any problems with her (knock on wood).

My second dog is a stud from a puppy mill, and although I’ve had him for a few years now, he still suffers from psychological issues. When we first adopted him, he would take socks and blankets and hide them in a corner. Years later, he has grown out of that. His current psychological issue is that he is easily scared. If he is approached by an older male, his tail will go in between his legs and he will crouch down. He also likes to “run away” from my family (his version of “running away” involves running up the stairs and into a room where he doesn’t want to be bothered). But he experienced an amazing breakthrough: while he once would never let me touch his paws, or even get close to them, I can now cuddle with him while holding his paw.

My third dog is from an overcrowded shelter down South, but brought to a shelter on the East coast. She is crazy, but I love her.

Stella (purchased)

Charlie (puppy mill rescue)

Ruby (rescue)

There is so much to say about puppy mills and adopting dogs. There are so many dogs in this world that need a home. Please do not purchase a dog from a pet store. Please adopt. Check out the National Mill Dog Rescue or North Shore Animal League website for more information.

http://milldogrescue.org/ (Colorado)

http://animalleague.org/ (New York)