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Puppy mills - what can be done to stop them?
My daughter picked the topic of puppy mills for her English class. I started looking it up and was so sickened and angry at what I saw.
What in the world can we do to put a stop to this madness? How can we rescue all these poor pups and close these places down?
I will never understand such cruelty to a living creature. All for profit.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8ehNuhHrbs
What in the world can we do to put a stop to this madness? How can we rescue all these poor pups and close these places down?
I will never understand such cruelty to a living creature. All for profit.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8ehNuhHrbs
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I completely agree with your assessment of both HSUS and PETA. Both are huge money making and marketing machines that give lip service to animal welfare but both have hidden agendas. Both Ingrid Newkird (founder of PETA) and Wayne Pacelle (CEO of HSUS) have publically said that they would like to see a world where there were NO PETS. (I have references for those who need them).
BUT, why not make use of the HSUS money making ability? Why not ask them to put their money where their mouth is and pony up some serious money to actually try and stop this through action rather than through ineffective legislation.
As far as pet shops...that's a tricky one. You are both right in that a well established breeder (I am purposefully avoiding the word "good") wants to know how the pup will be treated etc. These dogs are truly extensions of their family. But, finding this type of breeder is difficult unless you are on the "inside" of dog shows and breeder circles. Plus, while I appreciate their passion for keeping their pups safe, I find it odd that these same breeders are often the ones who, through maintenance of breed standards, perpetuate conformational problems (short faced Bulldogs, etc) that affect the health of the dog. Most people looking for a pet dog won't seek out this type of breeder, good or otherwise.
We as a society are used to instant gratification and immediate results. That will be difficult to change over-night. I worked in the pet industry and I can tell you that the vast majority of people are not interested in the puppy's background...they like THAT puppy. And, if a pet store doesn't sell it, then someone else will out of the back of their trunk, along a highway, or from an Internet site.
The AKC needs to be involved as well. That code of ethics is only as good as the paper it is written on. AKC papers are easily available and I have doubts that any of these parent breed clubs enforce this stipulation of "don't sell to pet stores". How can they? Next, the AKC and the parent breed clubs must take a stance on puppy mills (as well as tail docking and ear cropping per my blog) and work towards a solution. I thing they need to cough up some money as well.
When both the HSUS and the AKC have some serious "skin in the game", we just might start seeing some results.
Let me state...I don't like the way that "puppy mills" and the operators are allowed to get away with the abuses that they do. They need to be shut down...but, the current fad of using limited numbers of dogs and special licenses will hurt legitimate breeders and the puppy mill folks will go underground and find new ways (i.e. the Internet) to sell their mass produced puppies at an even higher price. There has to be a better way!
BUT, why not make use of the HSUS money making ability? Why not ask them to put their money where their mouth is and pony up some serious money to actually try and stop this through action rather than through ineffective legislation.
As far as pet shops...that's a tricky one. You are both right in that a well established breeder (I am purposefully avoiding the word "good") wants to know how the pup will be treated etc. These dogs are truly extensions of their family. But, finding this type of breeder is difficult unless you are on the "inside" of dog shows and breeder circles. Plus, while I appreciate their passion for keeping their pups safe, I find it odd that these same breeders are often the ones who, through maintenance of breed standards, perpetuate conformational problems (short faced Bulldogs, etc) that affect the health of the dog. Most people looking for a pet dog won't seek out this type of breeder, good or otherwise.
We as a society are used to instant gratification and immediate results. That will be difficult to change over-night. I worked in the pet industry and I can tell you that the vast majority of people are not interested in the puppy's background...they like THAT puppy. And, if a pet store doesn't sell it, then someone else will out of the back of their trunk, along a highway, or from an Internet site.
The AKC needs to be involved as well. That code of ethics is only as good as the paper it is written on. AKC papers are easily available and I have doubts that any of these parent breed clubs enforce this stipulation of "don't sell to pet stores". How can they? Next, the AKC and the parent breed clubs must take a stance on puppy mills (as well as tail docking and ear cropping per my blog) and work towards a solution. I thing they need to cough up some money as well.
When both the HSUS and the AKC have some serious "skin in the game", we just might start seeing some results.
Let me state...I don't like the way that "puppy mills" and the operators are allowed to get away with the abuses that they do. They need to be shut down...but, the current fad of using limited numbers of dogs and special licenses will hurt legitimate breeders and the puppy mill folks will go underground and find new ways (i.e. the Internet) to sell their mass produced puppies at an even higher price. There has to be a better way!
The problem with PETA and the HSUS is that neither one of these organizations is truly interested in solving the problem of puppymills or animal cruelty, they are animal rights organizations that are trying to completely stop ANY interaction between humans and animals, right down to a complete cessation of the keeping of animals as pets.
They rely on the fact that people THINK they are interested only in the welfare of the animals, but nothing could be further from the truth. People think that animal rights and animal welfare are one and the same, but they are COMPLETELY different, and to support organizations that promote animal rights is only giving these people the power they seek to put their plans into action.
If people are interested in helping animals, they would be MUCH better off donating money directly to their local shelters or local SPCAs. Each county in every state has its own SPCA. THEY are the ones who are interested in animal welfare.
As far as puppymills go, no responsible breeder would ever allow their puppies to be sold in pet stores, therefore, if you see a puppy in a pet store, they were bred by either a puppymill or a local person who isn't truly interested in the betterment of their breed, but merely in producing puppies to sell to make a few bucks. Every parent club of every AKC breed has a Code of Ethics that prohibits their breeders from selling their puppies in pet stores. Buying a puppy from a pet store, even at a greatly reduced price, is not "rescuing" the puppy, it's simply buying the puppy at a reduced price.. All this does is make room for the pet store to bring in yet another puppymill puppy. The stores buy these puppies at prices ranging anywhere from about $35 for beagles and other small breeds to about $250 for English Bulldogs. The price markups are INSANE, with Beagles and other common breeds selling for $500 and up, and English Bulldogs selling for $2500 AND UP. So someone might THINK they are "rescuing" a dog because they only paid $100 for it, when it was originally priced at $800 or more, but the price was marked up so many hundreds of percent that even at what appears to be a giveaway, the pet store is STILL making a profit on a puppy that is nowhere near meeting its breed standard.
I could go on for days about the evils of puppymills, pet stores, and backyard breeding, but I have got to get to bed (I work nights) because I have to be in work at 3. When I get home tonight, however, I will add to my post because this most definitely IS a subject that deserves a LOT of attention.
Ghilly
They rely on the fact that people THINK they are interested only in the welfare of the animals, but nothing could be further from the truth. People think that animal rights and animal welfare are one and the same, but they are COMPLETELY different, and to support organizations that promote animal rights is only giving these people the power they seek to put their plans into action.
If people are interested in helping animals, they would be MUCH better off donating money directly to their local shelters or local SPCAs. Each county in every state has its own SPCA. THEY are the ones who are interested in animal welfare.
As far as puppymills go, no responsible breeder would ever allow their puppies to be sold in pet stores, therefore, if you see a puppy in a pet store, they were bred by either a puppymill or a local person who isn't truly interested in the betterment of their breed, but merely in producing puppies to sell to make a few bucks. Every parent club of every AKC breed has a Code of Ethics that prohibits their breeders from selling their puppies in pet stores. Buying a puppy from a pet store, even at a greatly reduced price, is not "rescuing" the puppy, it's simply buying the puppy at a reduced price.. All this does is make room for the pet store to bring in yet another puppymill puppy. The stores buy these puppies at prices ranging anywhere from about $35 for beagles and other small breeds to about $250 for English Bulldogs. The price markups are INSANE, with Beagles and other common breeds selling for $500 and up, and English Bulldogs selling for $2500 AND UP. So someone might THINK they are "rescuing" a dog because they only paid $100 for it, when it was originally priced at $800 or more, but the price was marked up so many hundreds of percent that even at what appears to be a giveaway, the pet store is STILL making a profit on a puppy that is nowhere near meeting its breed standard.
I could go on for days about the evils of puppymills, pet stores, and backyard breeding, but I have got to get to bed (I work nights) because I have to be in work at 3. When I get home tonight, however, I will add to my post because this most definitely IS a subject that deserves a LOT of attention.
Ghilly
One complicating factor you might not be aware of is that in Pennsylvania and Ohio, there are a LOT of Amish breeders. In their culture, dogs are considered livestock, just like sheep or cattle. Now personally, I would never treat any livestock this badly, and most family farmers I know wouldn't either. However, it's not unheard of for farmers to leave livestock out in terrible weather, not get them vet care because they assume a margin of loss, and put them down inhumanely when they're no longer profitable. I think it's important to understand this mindset when trying to come up with a solution to the problem. There's no sense of anything being wrong with treating dogs this way, so Mr. Dock is right, there has to be a way to take away the profit.
The problem I see with approved stores though, is that really serious breeders are obsessive about their litters and would never let a pup go to a random person they don't know. Many are watching and judging potential buyers much more closely than the buyers are judging the potential pups. Often, they will call/visit then new family at intervals to make sure everything is okay. I think this is the kind of breeder we should want to buy from, and I don't know how that would work in a storefront.
The problem I see with approved stores though, is that really serious breeders are obsessive about their litters and would never let a pup go to a random person they don't know. Many are watching and judging potential buyers much more closely than the buyers are judging the potential pups. Often, they will call/visit then new family at intervals to make sure everything is okay. I think this is the kind of breeder we should want to buy from, and I don't know how that would work in a storefront.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
This topic is a hugely controversial one simply because no one can adequately and legally define a puppy mill. You would think it would be easy...but everytime you set a limit on number of dogs or a specification on cage space, etc, bad breeders will find a way around it. In addition, many of these types of breeders simply pack up and move to a different locale where they won't be bothered by inspectors.
The following is an excerpt from a blog I wrote several weeks ago after Cesar Millan had his show on puppy mills.
This story may have stimulated me to think of a potential workable plan to do away with puppy mills. If you follow any legislative alerts, you will see that regulating breeders is a common item on many states' law-making agendas this year. Right here in Indiana, a new law caps the number of dogs you can own (or breed) before you are considered to be a "commercial breeder" Many other states are looking at similar laws as well as the ideas to control pet over-population, such as mandatory spay-neuter laws. I don't know for certain, but my gut tells me that the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is behind many of these legislative efforts. Although I do applaud their surface efforts to help, I can't help but continue to be concerned about their less than apparant motives. Both HSUS and PETA leaders have publically declared their goal of "no-more pets".
But let's be realistic, people want to own pets and the "don't shop..adopt" program is not working. American consumers will continue to buy puppies because 1) puppies in stores are cute and 2) its really convenient.
Instead of working through legislatures, why not put some money up front to help develop an enforcement agency/operation/organization that can help police breeders and help educate future pet owners? As it stands now, each new law that passes in every state adds to a financial burden at a time when it is difficult to get funding for any project. I have friends who work currently in enforcement type of agencies and their funding is absolutely pitiful. In fact, recently in Michigan, the state government dropped the program designed to inspect pet stores, etc due to lack of funding.
The website, Charity Navigator shows that HSUS has in excess of $225 Million in assets. Why not free up some of those assets to develop an organization that will work with the American Kennel Club, veterinary organizations, and other dog-related groups to come up with a workable and fair outline of "good" breeding practices that is not solely determined by number of dogs or number of puppies sold?
Think on it...I don't know how much money the AKC has, but if HSUS could give about $20 Million (10% of their assets), the AKC could chip in and partner that money with funds already allocated for the USDA for enforcement of existing laws, we might make a bigger dent in the puppy mill industry. Its all about working together and stopping the "in-fighting" that accompanies any attempt at creating new laws.
Other benefits: Breeders who met "good" breeding practices could sell puppies through any outlet they choose...to individuals or to stores. People looking for puppies could buy them through "HSUS Approved Stores" to save the difficulties of finding a "good" breeder. Portions of all sales, through breeders or stores, would be funneled back into the organization for further enforcement and inspection of facilities. And best of all, we could avoid a lot of government interference. Breeders and stores who don't meet the requirements would eventually perish from lost business and consumers, good breeders and good stores would be able to work together to get puppies into homes.
This is just a basic outline and I know that many people will have a lot of issues with it, but...it's a much better start than simply throwing up some numbers and saying you can't breed dogs if you own x number of dogs. Work with DVMs to find good breeding practices, make potential breeders outline their breeding facilities/plans and submit them to this new organization annually along with their license fees, and finally, utilize technology to help eliminate the fraud that is often associated with AKC/CKC and other kennel club registrations. Maybe even mandate microchips for all new puppies that make it to 6 weeks of age.....
This obviously needs a lot of work and, of course, a lot of money. BUT...money is something the HSUS has alot of and my gut feeling is that the AKC has a fair share too. Let's put their monies together for a good common cause and start stamping out this horrendous nightmare breeders!
The following is an excerpt from a blog I wrote several weeks ago after Cesar Millan had his show on puppy mills.
This story may have stimulated me to think of a potential workable plan to do away with puppy mills. If you follow any legislative alerts, you will see that regulating breeders is a common item on many states' law-making agendas this year. Right here in Indiana, a new law caps the number of dogs you can own (or breed) before you are considered to be a "commercial breeder" Many other states are looking at similar laws as well as the ideas to control pet over-population, such as mandatory spay-neuter laws. I don't know for certain, but my gut tells me that the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is behind many of these legislative efforts. Although I do applaud their surface efforts to help, I can't help but continue to be concerned about their less than apparant motives. Both HSUS and PETA leaders have publically declared their goal of "no-more pets".
But let's be realistic, people want to own pets and the "don't shop..adopt" program is not working. American consumers will continue to buy puppies because 1) puppies in stores are cute and 2) its really convenient.
Instead of working through legislatures, why not put some money up front to help develop an enforcement agency/operation/organization that can help police breeders and help educate future pet owners? As it stands now, each new law that passes in every state adds to a financial burden at a time when it is difficult to get funding for any project. I have friends who work currently in enforcement type of agencies and their funding is absolutely pitiful. In fact, recently in Michigan, the state government dropped the program designed to inspect pet stores, etc due to lack of funding.
The website, Charity Navigator shows that HSUS has in excess of $225 Million in assets. Why not free up some of those assets to develop an organization that will work with the American Kennel Club, veterinary organizations, and other dog-related groups to come up with a workable and fair outline of "good" breeding practices that is not solely determined by number of dogs or number of puppies sold?
Think on it...I don't know how much money the AKC has, but if HSUS could give about $20 Million (10% of their assets), the AKC could chip in and partner that money with funds already allocated for the USDA for enforcement of existing laws, we might make a bigger dent in the puppy mill industry. Its all about working together and stopping the "in-fighting" that accompanies any attempt at creating new laws.
Other benefits: Breeders who met "good" breeding practices could sell puppies through any outlet they choose...to individuals or to stores. People looking for puppies could buy them through "HSUS Approved Stores" to save the difficulties of finding a "good" breeder. Portions of all sales, through breeders or stores, would be funneled back into the organization for further enforcement and inspection of facilities. And best of all, we could avoid a lot of government interference. Breeders and stores who don't meet the requirements would eventually perish from lost business and consumers, good breeders and good stores would be able to work together to get puppies into homes.
This is just a basic outline and I know that many people will have a lot of issues with it, but...it's a much better start than simply throwing up some numbers and saying you can't breed dogs if you own x number of dogs. Work with DVMs to find good breeding practices, make potential breeders outline their breeding facilities/plans and submit them to this new organization annually along with their license fees, and finally, utilize technology to help eliminate the fraud that is often associated with AKC/CKC and other kennel club registrations. Maybe even mandate microchips for all new puppies that make it to 6 weeks of age.....
This obviously needs a lot of work and, of course, a lot of money. BUT...money is something the HSUS has alot of and my gut feeling is that the AKC has a fair share too. Let's put their monies together for a good common cause and start stamping out this horrendous nightmare breeders!
We work with a rescue group. The stories are so sad and the conditions are terrible.
AJ is absolutely right about buying from pet stores.
AJ is absolutely right about buying from pet stores.
AJH84- That was an "Excellent Post".....
April2 - I have 2 Puppy Mill rescues that live with us. Both were from Mills being busted. One in Missouri, the other in Oklahoma. Both of mine came to me as adults. They were used for the sole purpose of breeding for the greed of the millers. Fortunately, they were not killed before their release. I will add: Samson is psychologically damaged past the point of no return. On occasion, he will allow me to pet him. He is absolutely terrified of people and will potty in the floor if you make eye contact with him. Isn't that sad? He's been here almost 2 yrs.! Both of their medical issues are astounding....One will NEVER be potty trained! The female (Ginger) cries over all her toys....Were her babies taken away too soon, every time??? I don't know! The horrors they have lived through make me sick, but it's not their fault...The good news is that they both will live out their lives (In safety) with us.
There is alot of good information (For your daughter) On the "Small Paws Rescue" websight in Oklahoma....Education is the key here...I'm glad your daughter has chosen to spread the word.... Karla
April2 - I have 2 Puppy Mill rescues that live with us. Both were from Mills being busted. One in Missouri, the other in Oklahoma. Both of mine came to me as adults. They were used for the sole purpose of breeding for the greed of the millers. Fortunately, they were not killed before their release. I will add: Samson is psychologically damaged past the point of no return. On occasion, he will allow me to pet him. He is absolutely terrified of people and will potty in the floor if you make eye contact with him. Isn't that sad? He's been here almost 2 yrs.! Both of their medical issues are astounding....One will NEVER be potty trained! The female (Ginger) cries over all her toys....Were her babies taken away too soon, every time??? I don't know! The horrors they have lived through make me sick, but it's not their fault...The good news is that they both will live out their lives (In safety) with us.
There is alot of good information (For your daughter) On the "Small Paws Rescue" websight in Oklahoma....Education is the key here...I'm glad your daughter has chosen to spread the word.... Karla
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