Legitimate Breeders Say Puppy Mills Dogging Business
Legitimate Breeders Say Puppy Mills Dogging Business | KSPR News | Local News
By KSPR News
By Joanna Small
Story Created: Feb 20, 2009
Story Updated: Feb 20, 2009
Missouri is number one in a category you don't even want to make top ten.
Puppy mills are a real problem, especially in the Ozarks.
Add to that animal abuse cases.
In the past 30 days Greene County alone seized what investigators call abused animals from four locations.
That includes a farm Friday where deputies took nearly 20 dogs plus cows and horses.
The most recent raid resulted in two arrests.
Many reputable breeders worry puppy mills will discourage potential pet-owners from even buying dogs, which is obviously bad for a business that takes years to build.
"Don't stick your tongue out at them Trudy!"
Trudy’s got every right to make faces- she’s a champion.
But that doesn't make her special in this group.
“I have actually bred 74 AKC champions."
We’re standing among Betty Stovall's empire in the middle of their palace.
She’s been breeding and showing Japanese Chins for nearly two decades.
“I have a waitlist of people wanting females for show,” Betty tells us.
If the high demand isn't evidence of success, just take a quick look at the decor.
“My stud dog won a best in show- all breed show,” Betty says as you points to an enormous ribbon hanging on the wall.
She’s spent her life building a reputable business only for it to be continuously undermined.
“It just makes me sick, it's horrible, and I think people would be hesitant to buy a dog period when they see the conditions some of these dogs live in."
Betty says puppy mills hurt the legitimate breeding business.
“They could have a picture of my kennel on their website, there's nothing to governor it,” she explains.
So Betty has some words to the wise potential puppy-owners:
“I would never buy a pet unless you can see the parents."
Make a house-call, and look for a breeder with just one or two types of dogs.
“When you have multi-breeds like puppy mills how can you learn the breed, the background, things that are inherited like diseases and defects?”
Ask to see papers, specifically from the American Kennel Club, and finally, get your doggy deal in writing.
“When you go to a reputable breeder we will replace a dog if it has a genetic problem… We guarantee dogs."
Betty is secretary of the Ozarks Kennel Club, a local chapter of the American Kennel Club.
For more information on finding a breeder you can trust she recommends checking out the AKC website.
That’s
American Kennel Club - akc.org.