I have to say I am even more discouraged about puppy mills after our recent search for a Yorkie. And, to be honest, it is harder now for me to tell the difference in some puppy mills and some good breeders. I don't like the idea of several sires and many more dams and continuous litters, one right after another, even if the numbers aren't in the hundreds or thousands. There are already way too many unwanted animals.
There was one that, we decided we could never buy from, because the puppies are kept in wire cages day and night. They eat in there, sleep in there and go potty in there. There is no interaction. Yet, it is in good standing with AKC and has even recently been inspected. I'm not sure it would qualify as a puppy mill, but it should be, IMO. We desperately wanted to rescue one of those babies. But, we didn't know if it was a wise decision to bring an animal into our home who had been raised in those conditions. |