The Oprah Winfrey Show this Friday 4/4 will be all about "Puppy Mills" and will take you inside an actual Puppy Mill to see the horrible conditions they keep the breeding mothers and young pups in before they are sold and transported to your local pet shop.*
Most people I talk to about Puppy Mills have no or very little knowledge of what the term "Puppy Mill" actually means, so please help spread awareness by watching the show and encouraging others to watch as well. Please check your local listings and watch or set your TIVO or DVR to record!
This is a MUST-SEE for all Animal Lovers!
I have always been an advocate of either shelter or rescue adoption, or buying a puppy through a reputable breeder because I am aware of the horrors of Puppy Mills. While some pet stores will claim to get their puppies from "breeders," BEWARE: often they are getting their puppies from Puppy Mills but are unwilling to admit it. I have had many clients who have bought puppies from local pet stores and either never received their AKC registration papers as promised, or ended up with pups with serious health and/or behavioral issues that were likely from Puppy Mills.
And price has nothing to do with it! Just because a puppy has a high price tag does not ensure that he comes from a reputable breeder. In fact, in most cases I find that pet stores have appallingly higher prices than most breeders! As Britney Spears and Paris Hilton recently discovered, even buying your pet at a ritzy pet shop like
"Pets of Bel Air" does not guarantee that there is no Puppy Mill connection. The pet shop where the 2 celebrities buy their pups was recently
called out for buying from Puppy Mills by the Humane Society of the US after being cited for having an expired permit to sell animals.
Next time you are adding a new doggie to your family, I would recommend
avoiding pet stores completely and instead seeking out a reputable breeder or (preferably) adopting from a local shelter or rescue group (search
Petfinder.com!). For those of you looking specifically for a puppy, there are often pups as young as 6 weeks old who need homes at local shelters and rescues! You can find purebred as well as mixed-breed dogs available for adoption, and often at a much lower cost than any pet store or breeder. I adopted my Papillon-mix Lucas from the
Pasadena Humane Society and it was the best $60 I ever spent! I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful or perfect pet! :)
If you are purchasing your pet from a breeder, here are some tips on choosing a reputable breeder:
1)
Ask for a recommendation from friends/family members/neighbors or even people you meet in the dog park! If someone has a dog that you like, ask if they can recommend their breeder. If they had a good experience with the breeder, and the dog is happy and healthy, then that breeder may be a good choice.
2)
Call local AKC Clubs for the breed you are interested in. Breed fanciers take breeding very seriously, as they want to ensure that only the best dogs will continue the breeding lines. An AKC Club should be able to recommend the best breeders in your area for the particular dog breed you are interested in.
3)
Meet the Parents! Once you get to the breeder, always insist on meeting the parents
of the particular litter you are looking at. If the breeder avoids or refuses to show you the parents for any reason, this may be a big red flag! If the father is not on the premises, request a photo and to see a copy of his registration papers. Make sure that the parents look healthy and well-behaved. Some behavioral problems (like aggression) as well as health issues can be genetically passed on.
4)
Check the Hips. For certain breeds such as German Shepherd Dogs and Rottweilers, hip health is a major concern. A good breeder will have had the parent dogs' hips x-rayed and evaluated for Hip Dysplasia. They should be able to provide you with a number that indicates the severity of the Dysplasia. Dogs with a high number on the scale should not be bred, as hip issues can be genetically passed down.
5)
Check your Contract & Get Papers. When signing the sale contract for your new pup, make sure you read the fine print. What happens if the puppy develops any health issues? Can you get your money back? Will the breeder take an unhealthy puppy back if you choose not to keep him, or will it be your responsibility to find him a new home? What is the procedure for getting your pup's registration papers? Is the breeder providing you with papers up front?
(Although I wouldn't blame you, try not to let your new pup's cute little face make you forget that this is a business transaction!)A really good breeder will always take a dog back even if you just decide he's not right for you. This shows that they care about what happens to their dogs and the breeding line. If the dog has a serious health issue, you should be able to get at least a partial refund, or help paying the medical bills. And don't walk away with just a promise of papers! Unless you just don't care about having your pup's registration papers, make sure that you get the papers
and the registered purebred puppy that you paid for! Insist on having the papers delivered along with the puppy. Trust me, I have learned from my clients' bad experiences; once you pay and walk away, it can become very complicated to obtain a puppy's papers!
*Just a note for those of you who may already have dogs purchased from a pet shop: please don't take offense or take this to mean that there is something wrong with your pet! As long as he is healthy and happy, then there is no reason to worry! ;) My aim is not to judge anyone, just to educate and help people avoid any possible pitfalls of buying from Puppy Mill-supplied pet shops. And also to help stop the cruel practices of puppy mills through consumer
education and action.I hope this info. helps you when considering adding a new pet to your family, or that you pass it on and help a friend or family member to choose their pet wisely. Remember to tune in to the Oprah Show this Friday! I'll be watching too... :)
