Stop Puppy Mills

From LoveToKnow Dogs

Do you want to know how to stop puppy mills? Mills are much more prevalent than they were 20 years ago. However, concerned citizens and pet advocacy groups are helping to prevent mill animal abuse.

About Puppy Mills

Mills are large dog breeding operations that breed dogs indiscriminately and sell puppies for profit. These organizations breed dogs without regard to the animals' health and some keep the dogs in unsanitary conditions. Mill conditions may include:

  • Dogs live in dirty, crowded crates.
  • The mill operators do not let the dogs get adequate exercise, water or food.
  • Many of the puppy mills don't provide veterinary care for the dogs and puppies.
  • Sick dogs are housed with healthy dogs.
  • Puppies are often sick with kennel cough, parvovirus or heartworm.
  • Some dogs are also physically abused into submission.

Aren't Pet Mills Illegal?

One of the challenges of shutting down a mill is that the laws are not clearly defined. Commercial breeding is federally regulated and also regulated by some states. However, most states have no legislation on commercial dog breeding. The lack of legislation allows for dog mill operations to exist. Animal cruelty must be proven to involve the authorities in a suspected dog mill. Most people are not allowed inside a mill to observe conditions. Without evidence of animal cruelty, authorities cannot pursue a suspected mill.

How to Stop Puppy Mills

You don't have to join a dog mill rescue group to protest these operations. Anyone can help stop mills by doing the following:

  • Do not buy puppies or adult dogs from pet stores.
  • Do not purchase puppies or adult dogs from online breeders.
  • Educate all of your friends and family about dog mills and encourage them not to buy dogs from commercial breeders.
  • Adopt a puppy or adult dog from a reputable breeder. Learn how to recognize a quality professional breeder.
  • Consider adopting a rescue dog or shelter dog.
  • Contact a local rescue organization, pet advocacy group or local animal control authorities to report a suspected dog mill.
  • Write letters to your local congressmen and senators expressing your concern about dog mills.
  • Write letters to the editors in local newspapers about dog mill issues.
  • Support the efforts of The Humane Society of The United States and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty To Animals to fight mills.
  • If you ever adopted a dog from a mill, share your story with advocacy groups such as the Humane Society and ASPCA to help them identify the mill involved.

Online Resources for Protesting Dog Mills

The following websites can help you find more information for protesting pet mills:

You can find ways as a private citizen to express your outrage at pet mills and fight to close them. Just by making sure that you never buy a dog from a pet store or writing a letter to your legislator, you can make a huge difference in the cause. Every little step against supporting pet mill operations will eventually drive these types of establishments out of business.

Retrieved from "http://dogs.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Stop_Puppy_Mills"

 


Comment on Stop Puppy Mills



(Displayed with your comment)                        (Will not be displayed)
Verification Code:   
    

Dogs Categories
LoveToKnow Tools
More Articles