What is a puppymill?

[shelbysmom]

Is the definition a matter of opinion? Who would you recommend not buying from? I know we are against most pet stores but what else? NOt like any breeder posts a sign that they are a Puppymill. Everyone recommends visiting the breeder but what is a bad sign, other than dogs obviously being mistreated?

Do you consider all large breeding Kennels puppymills in disguise?

[txshopper73]

Good question. I think that a puppy mill's description varies by the individual. IMO, someone that has 15+ breeding bitches that live in an outside kennel would be a start. Someone that does just about ALL of their veternarian care would also be in this classification. Someone who's dogs are not groomed and cared for. Somone that has large amounts and several breeds and also advertise that they take credit cards.

No one really knows until they go see the place as you stated. It could be a small scale puppy mill or a large. Everyone's definition will be different.

When we went to buy a female GSP, once...there were probably a dozen breeding females. Males were kept in a cattle pen. Bitches were chained to trees with puppies running everywhere. To me, that was a puppy mill.

But I recently heard of a show breeder that has over 40 breeding females.

[shelbysmom]

I agree with you and it amazes me that people would buy from anyone like that. It sure seems like it would be obvious that anyone with 15+ females doesn't give them much quality time

One thing that I learn in my search was that not all show breeders are ethical. I know I have read that people should start their search with breeders that "show" their dogs. People need to remember that is one tiny piece to the puzzle.

[yorkieusa]

Check this out:

http://www.millbusters.com/

[rrosenberry]

Do a search on here,, under Puppy Mill and you will get an enormous amount of information.

[shelbysmom]

Originally Posted by rrosenberry

Do a search on here,, under Puppy Mill and you will get an enormous amount of information.

Yea, I know I can find out information on my own. I guess the point of this thread is I would like some individuals to point out their own definitions, maybe site examples. People looking for a puppy are not going to research "puppymills" but I think they buy from them not knowing better. So, what would be specific things you would tell people to avoid?

[shelbysmom]

Originally Posted by yorkieusa

Check this out:

http://www.millbusters.com/

Thank you, I did

The leading line tells a lot doesn't it?

--Definition of a Puppy Mill--
Puppy mill is a common term used to describe large scale dog breeding operations. The term originated
among critics of these operations. Small-scale puppy farming is usually called backyard breeding.

[rrosenberry]

Originally Posted by shelbysmom

Yea, I know I can find out information on my own. I guess the point of this thread is I would like some individuals to point out their own definitions, maybe site examples. People looking for a puppy are not going to research "puppymills" but I think they buy from them not knowing better. So, what would be specific things you would tell people to avoid?

OH!... Here is my version and what I think~ I sent it to the newspaper The Times Reporter and it was printed.









To The Editor:



I am writing in support of the Times Reporter’s recent article exposing local puppy mills. Hopefully these types of articles will bring about public awareness and end this horrendous abuse.



I have been aware of the animal abuse in the puppy mill industry and I am repulsed. After reading your article and the breeder’s comments on the life of these puppies, I felt compelled to respond.



As a pet advocate, my passion is that people understand the life of these puppies. Typically a puppy is taken away from its mother at an early age, usually between 5 – 8 weeks. Due to their early age, any illness, genetic or emotional problems that a puppy may have will not be detected. On the other hand, the mothers are forced to breed from their first heat and every 6 months thereafter until they are unable to produce. This abusive breeding cycle can last between 5 to 10 years. Another problem arising in this industry is the breeder’s lack of concern to maintain the breed standard. Too often breeders fall prey to the latest craze, which includes breeding “teacups” and “mini’s”. This is just a small portion of information that is available on what is really going on in this industry.



Until the public stops buying puppies from pet stores, this industry will continue to thrive. The puppies and adult dogs will continue to be forced to live in these harsh and uncaring environments. Seven of the biggest puppy mill states are Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania. Let’s not make Ohio number eight.



In lieu of supporting puppy mills, please check www.petfinder.com for local dogs that are available. Every year 5 – 10 million pets are euthanized in shelters in the United States.



Again, thanks to the Times Reporter for printing articles about puppy mills and doing their part in increasing public awareness.



Sincerely,

Rhonda Rosenberry

Proud owner of a non puppy mill Yorkshire Terrier. Aka – Bailey



For anyone interested in viewing information about puppy mills, here are a few good sites: www.puppymillrescue.com, www.prisonerofgreed.com, and www.millbusters.com



A site to write your congressman to stop puppy mills in your state: www.house.gob/writerep I do have a address to report mills in Ohio... http://www.columbusdogconnection.com...ngPupMill.html

[hle_625]

Ok, I have a question too, are puppymills illegal? And if so how do these people continue to run without being busted?

[shelbysmom]

Thanks for the links everyone. Now I am really depressed

One of the things I learned is many people understand that they shouldn't support large Commerical Kennel operations. These may be legal (even licensed?) but they are uncaring and inhumane.

I didn't read everything, can't handle it but look at this little guy
http://www.puppymillrescue.com/adoptMe14a.htm

[rrosenberry]

Originally Posted by shelbysmom

Thanks for the links everyone. Now I am really depressed

One of the things I learned is many people understand that they shouldn't support large Commerical Kennel operations. These may be legal (even licensed?) but they are uncaring and inhumane.

I didn't read everything, can't handle it but look at this little guy
http://www.puppymillrescue.com/adoptMe14a.htm

Oh I know.. I just love Peanut! Poor little guy. SO SAD,,that's why it has to stop!

[SoCalyorkiLvr]

Great Question....we have debated this question on this forum and I think what is a puppymill has a different answer for everyone. Here is a link to a thread where it was discussed:
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sho...ight=Puppymill

Here is a link to a website that tries to answer the question:
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/puppymil.html

And to answer the person who asked if they are illegal... the short answer is no...they are legal if they follow the laws set forth by the USDA. It is perfectly legal in our country to mass produce dogs for profit as long as they are not abused or mistreated in any way. The difficulty comes when different people have different ideas about what "abuse and mistreatment" are. Any abuse or neglect or mistreatment is cruelty to animals and is illegal.

AFTER the Puppy Haven thread on here I had the chance to speak to Wallace Haven, the owner and I am convinced that he is not a "puppymill". This is just my opinion. Yes, he is a mass breeder or several different breeds but the dogs are treated very well and given the very best food and veterinarian care.

When I think PUPPYMILL I think of the pictures you see on the anti-puppymill websites like Prisoners of Greed, not responsible and respectable, well educated business people who have degrees in Animal Husbandry and take care of the pups and their breeding stock as any good animal farmer does.

Little Peanut is tooo cute!!!! Looks like my Hefner as a baby...little tongue sticking out and everything!!

[shelbysmom]

Thanks Kim. I missed the thread the last time around, new motherhood and all

Interesting thoughts about the Haven. I personally wouldn't support such a place (even though it is clean and they don't abuse the animals) but I guess I am not too keen on the idea of Commerical breeding. Not a "puppymill" but not a great way to treat dogs either. Anytime someone has that many dogs they will never get to know what it feels like to be a pet and that breaks my heart. These little dogs are so darn special, can't imagine how different those dogs lives are vs. this little munchkin in may lap.

[SoCalyorkiLvr]

Originally Posted by shelbysmom

Thanks Kim. I missed the thread the last time around, new motherhood and all

Interesting thoughts about the Haven. I personally wouldn't support such a place (even though it is clean and they don't abuse the animals) but I guess I am not too keen on the idea of Commerical breeding. Not a "puppymill" but not a great way to treat dogs either. Anytime someone has that many dogs they will never get to know what it feels like to be a pet and that breaks my heart. These little dogs are so darn special, can't imagine how different those dogs lives are vs. this little munchkin in may lap.

I agree with what you say, but I just know how poorly treated the majority of dogs in this country are. They are kept outside a lot of the time and after puppyhood, rarely get played with, etc. The dogs in the majority of homes in America are NOT treated like we treat our babies....they are just dogs to a lot of people and sometimes don't even get the vet care they need. I wish this were not the case. I wish everyone spoiled their dogs the way we spoil ours.

So, when I talk to a "salt of the earth", honest guy like Wallace Haven who hires outside help to give his dogs lots of attention and they all have their "Pack" family, they have recirculating water and lots of rrom to run and exercise in the fresh air, at least I know they are not tied up to a tree somewhere with no water and wondering if they will get any food today.

I know it's not the life I would want for my pet but neither is the life of the average american family dog, unfortunately.

I think in fact that their lives are mush better than some "show" dog's lives who are a treated like a trophy piece and kept in a small kennel and not allowed to be a dog for fear of messing up their coats, etc, who travel from place to place by airplane and leave their homes to be with handlers, etc. I am not trying to bash show breeders here because i know not all treat their show dogs in this way but at least Wallace haven's dogs get to play and be with their "pack".

Just another perspective to consider.

[BamaFan121s]

I guess I can consider myself lucky that there are NO petstores at all in my city that sell pups or cats! Finally, we got one thing right here!