My Lilly's dog mum and dad were rescued out of a puppy mill and that's how I ended up with her. Their previous owner kept them in cages in a cellar without daylight and on a hard concrete floor
... Thankfully she is in prison now.
I spent months researching the breed because let's face it Yorkie's are just too darling! But was afraid to buy a pure bread puppy due to the "big" business they are. When I heard about these rescued dogs and their puppies I went to see how they were being kept. It was bliss, I could see that the dogs were the centre of attention and had a huge garden to play in and lots of love. I think that's why my Lilly is so well adjusted... and I can sleep well at night knowing I've not supported such a horrible industry.
One breeder I contacted just wanted to ship the puppy to me from France and got angry with me because I didn't feel comfortable with that... called me a time waster and said that I had no reason to feel uncomfortable... she also never answered the question on how she raised her dogs and the picture she sent of the mother dog... well she just looked old tired and sad...