September 19th is Puppy Mill Awareness Day. Puppy mills represent one of the biggest animal welfare problems in the US today. Although more and more places are cracking down on these unscrupulous breeders, there’s still a lot of work to be done in this area. A local Marietta, GA vet offers some information about puppy mills in this article.
What Are Puppy Mills?
Puppy mills is a general term, which describes callous breeders that are more concerned with making profits than in the health and well-being of their dogs. They sometimes keep animals in deplorable conditions, and consider them ‘disposable’ once they have stopped producing offspring.
How Do I Spot Puppy Mills?
There are some wonderful breeders out there, who truly take excellent care of their dogs. These should not be confused with puppy mills. How to tell the difference? There are a few things to watch for. One red flag would be a breeder that has multiple litters at once, with multiple more coming up quickly, though that isn’t always a sure sign in and of itself. Puppy mills may sell puppies that are less than 8 weeks old. They usually sell through social media, and may be reluctant to let customers visit their kennels. Another red flag? A lack of paperwork. Breeders that are working with pedigreed dogs will have proof of that pet’s lineage, as well as documentation on vaccines and exams from veterinarians.
Designer Dogs
Puppy mills often sell ‘designer’ dogs. The oodles of doodles on the market are a good example of that. Doodle dogs are poodle mixes, and you can find nearly any variation or combination of breeds available. However, none of the Doodles are actual breeds, and some may be prone to congenital defects.
How Can I Help?
There are a few things you can do to raise awareness about puppy mills. One option is to keep an eye out for local laws that crack down on puppy mills. These laws take various tactics. Some make it illegal to breed without a license, while others rely on heavy fines and even criminal charges. Anything helps! Fortunately, the tide is turning, if slowly. Many pet stores have stopped selling puppies, and instead work with shelters to showcase available pups. Of course, the biggest and best thing you could do is help raise awareness. Even sharing posts on social media can help with that. If you know of a puppy mill, or suspect that a breeder is mistreating their animals, contact authorities.
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