Unfortunately dog/puppy auctions are as common as going to a Flea Market on a Saturday morning. As a matter of fact at least one dog auction is held at an Amish owned Flea Market in Ohio. In Pennsylvania "Beauiful Dutch Country" (as they advertise it) that part of the country is LOADED with the "Oh so religious" Amish. The Amish are the BIGGEST culprits of Puppymills. Just tour the country side and look beyond the beauty and into the large barns that house thousands of breeding, uncared for dogs. It's illegal in PA to have puppy auctions and once a month the Amish travel across the line to Ohio to sell their "Product." I say product because this is what the Amish consider a dog or puppy. It's as common as selling breeding and slaughtering for food. What is sad it that many do not realize that not only are their puppymills in exsitance but many Parot Mills too which are just as bad if not worse. So please just when not buying a puppy from a petstore do not buy a bird or ANY form of live animal or anything for that matter from any of these stores that sell LIVE animals. You may pay a little more but buy your food, toys, supplies etc. from a pet store that clearly does not support the selling of animals. Even buying a can of food puts the $$ into the pocket for these stores to stay open. Elaine |