The Second Week of May Is Puppy Mill Action Week-

We’ve all seen them, the news stories about another puppy mill finally shut down. Or the heart-wrenching commercials of sad animals needing donations. Most of us are appalled when we see them on television and they show the horrible and inhumane conditions that those puppies and their parents live in. But those news stories don’t show even half of what these poor dogs go through every single day.

I hate seeing and hearing about the sad and disturbing treatment of dogs and cats (any animal), so at ChiChis And Me I don’t subject my readers to it. Isn’t there enough sadness in the world? But, this being Puppy Mill Action Week, I do want to bring awareness to the plight of these poor dogs.

Believe it or not, there are still people who don’t really know what puppy mills are and what they subject their dogs to. So, I warn you now that this post may be too disturbing for some. However, the good news is that there are simple things that each one of us can do to help and that is what this post is about. So, if you don’t want to read about the bad stuff, just scroll to the bottom for the more positive stuff.

What Exactly Is A Puppy Mill?

Puppy mills are high-volume dog breeding facilities that churn out puppies simply for profit. The people that run puppy mills are greedy and simply in it for the money. They care nothing for any of the dogs in their care, only that they survive long enough to be sold for profit. They sell puppies online, through classified ads, in flea markets, and in pet stores. Many puppy mills also sell their dogs to drug and product testing companies. The majority of puppies sold online are from puppy mills. All pet stores get their puppies from puppy mills — no matter what they tell you. No responsible breeder would sell a puppy to a pet store.

Some Alarming Statistics

According to the National Humane Society Of The United States:

• In the United States alone there are estimated to be 10,000 puppy mills still operating.
• 500,000 dogs are kept in puppy mills simply for breeding purposes
• 2.6 million puppies are sold each year originating from puppy mills

The biggest pet store still operating all over the United States is Petland. Maybe you have one in your area. When you walk into Petland it looks clean, people are friendly, and the puppies look happy and well-cared for. If you ask them where they get their puppies they will tell you they get them from USDA inspected breeders. You can learn more about “USDA inspected” breeders HERE

The Largest Pet Store Still Operating

Petland gets all their puppies from puppy mills mostly in the midwest part of the United States. Oh, they will tell you otherwise, but it is a fact. They count on soft-hearted people who either won’t look into where they actually get their puppies or will turn a blind eye to that fact because they “fell in love” with one of their puppies.

When at the pet store they are usually fed well to fatten them up but are kept several in a cage all day and all night. The sick ones are kept out of sight and no money is spent on veterinary care. Some may survive but most that arrive sick eventually die.

WARNING: THIS VIDEO IS VERY DISTURBING

Puppy Mill Abuses And How They Operate

Puppy mill kennels can be anything from small wooden cages of wood and wire mesh to tractor-trailer cabs to simple tethers attached to trees. Female dogs are bred twice a year and are either killed or abandoned when they can no longer produce puppies. Mothers and their puppies suffer from malnutrition, exposure, and little or no veterinary care.

Puppies are torn away from their mothers (often at too young an age) and sold to brokers. Then the brokers pack them into crates for transport and resale to pet stores. Puppies who are shipped from mill to broker to pet store can travel hundreds of miles in pickup trucks, tractor-trailers, and airplanes, often without adequate food, water, ventilation, or shelter.

Those That Survive

The poor puppies who actually survive this insane treatment have had no actual human love or care and often make unsuitable pets from lack of human contact. Because of this they may have behavior issues or expensive health issues later in life and are often then surrendered to shelters because they weren’t the sweet little loving puppies they were expecting. Or surrendered to shelters because they simply can not afford the veterinary costs of treating health issues that stem from this horrific treatment.

Puppy mills make a whopping profit from pet stores. It is almost impossible to shut down puppy mills as long as pet stores keep them in business. Yes, they sell a lot of puppies online and in other ways as mentioned above, however, without the income from pet stores their profit would be greatly reduced and most would not survive without the pet store income. Many puppy mills strictly sell to pet stores.

It Takes Time

It takes time to find just the right puppy if you are looking at shelters and rescue organizations. But, sadly today people want instant gratification. Wake up one morning and want a puppy? No problem, just run on down to the local pet store and purchase one. Don’t have enough money to pay the exorbitant price they are asking? Hey, you can even make payments.

What Happens To Puppies Not Sold?

Even though pet stores sell their puppies at hugely inflated prices they sell a lot of puppies. But what happens to the ones that don’t sell? Pet stores will often cut their losses and give (or sell at reduced prices) to employees, friends, or rescue groups.

Ways You & I Can Help These Helpless Little Dogs

So, when you see these news stories about puppy mills do you think that you wish there were something you could do to help? I think we all do, but then life goes on and you forget. Well, actually there are ways that you and I as an individual can help stop these monsters that run puppy mills.

Let’s start today to help shut down puppy mills! The following 10 ways are easy and any of us can do at least one.

Here’s a tip, if you are like me and fall in love with every Chihuahua you see, my advice is don’t even go into a pet store. It’s harder to resist the temptation when you are face to face with those adorable little puppies!

10 things that you can do.

Adopt your next dog.

You may have your heart set on a Chihuahua or another particular breed. Or may want a puppy of that particular breed. You still can! Purebred dogs that are looking for a furever home like yours are out there you just have to look for them. How?

• First, check your local shelter.
• Then look at places like Petfinder. (Petfinder does not sell puppies, but connects potential pet moms & dads with shelters and does not get puppies from puppy mills. Learn all about Petfinder: HERE
• Next contact a specific breed rescue group.

Be patient. When looking it often takes time to find what you are looking for, but if you are patient and continue checking back you eventually will.

Do not buy a dog or a puppy from a pet store

If you buy your dog from online (think Craigslist) or a pet store, you are most likely supporting a puppy mill. — Keep in mind that some legitimate breeders have websites online, but they will NEVER sell a puppy online without meeting with the prospective adopter and asking a lot of questions. Responsible breeders make sure their puppies are going to suitable loving homes. However, online and pet stores are the two ways that puppy mills sell millions of dogs each year and that’s how they make their money. If no one ever bought a puppy online or at a pet store, the puppy mills would all go broke.

Take action against pet stores supplied by puppy mills.

Don’t let them tell you that they don’t get their puppies from puppy mills. It’s a lie, they all do. Ask to speak to the store owner and tell them why you are so against puppy mills and ask him to change their business model to one that promotes adopting instead of selling. There are many stores that have done just that.

Learn all you can about the subject of puppy mills. Find out how the industry works. You can find lots of information at the Best Friends website, or check out books at your local library.

Speak out!

Are you politically minded? Write or call city, county, state, and federal officials and ask them to take action and to take these issues seriously. SEE: Tips on what and how to write a letter to your local legislators and newspapers. Write letters to the editors of newspapers. Often, there are ads in that paper’s classified section for dogs and puppies that are actually from puppy mills.

Donate to your local shelter or rescue group.

Your donation will help dogs and puppies that shelters have taken from puppy mills that had been shut down in your area or surrounding areas. Donations go to help shelters and rescue groups care for the dogs in their care. These dogs need food, proper shelter, veterinarian care (often very costly), and many times behavior training and socialization before they can be adopted out.

You can find also find local rescue organizations by inquiring at all the veterinary clinics in your area, they will know of all the local rescue organizations.

7. Donate your time. Can’t donate financially? Donate your time to your local shelter. You can walk the dogs, clean up (yeah, I know, not my favorite thing either, but necessary), and even spend playtime with them. Basically, offer to help where ever it is needed. You can donate blankets, toys, food bowls, leashes, etc. Consider becoming a foster to a dog in need.

8. Report a pet store. If you have bought a puppy from a pet store and it is sick, report them. Contact the better business bureau or the attorney general in your state.

Host a fundraiser in your community

Help educate the public about puppy mills and raise awareness. Organize a walk or conduct a bake sale. Set up a table at dog-related events in your area, even the state fair. Donate funds to your local shelter or the rescue group in your area. You can find them at petfinder.com.

Spread the word!

When you are educating someone about puppy mills, always do so in a kindly and non-judgemental way. Many just don’t know the facts.

Educate your friends, family, and those that you work or go to church with. If you know someone looking for a dog, share what you know and the websites already mentioned. Tell them about all the ways that puppy mills operate that are mentioned in number one of this list.

More On Adopting Pure-Bred Dogs

Many of you know that I got my Cora, Winston, and Liliana from a local rescue organization. They are full-bred apple-head Chihuahuas. They weren’t puppies when I got them, because they were kept as breeders. However they also  have pure-bred puppies of different breeds at times.

It is called “For The Love Of Every Animal” or F.L.E.A. The owner of this organization is a one-woman powerhouse for the saving of many dogs of all breeds & cats, in our area. I met her when I worked part-time at our local veterinary hospital.

The reason I mention this is: 1.  to let you know that it is possible to find pure-bred adult dogs and 2. you can find pure-bred puppies from rescue organizations. It may take time to find just the right one, but check your local rescue organizations and skip the pet stores.