Dogs enjoy a unique relationship with humans unlike any other domesticated animal, but where to go for that perfect partner. Most cities have several pet stores that offer puppies for sale; however, pet stores almost always receive their puppies from puppy mills. The puppy mills provide a constant source of puppies in a variety of breeds since they specialize in ‘purebred’ puppies.
Puppy mills are breeding facilities which produce large numbers of puppies, placing profit above the physical, emotional and social well-being of the dogs. Parent dogs suffer endless misery imprisoned in small stacked wire cages, never touching solid ground their entire lives.
The Humane Society of the United States has documented cases of over breeding and over crowding: inadequate shelter, food and water, little or no protection from the rain, cold, heat or other elements, little or no veterinary care and unsanitary conditions resulting in disease, parasites and other health problems.
The young puppies are torn away from their mothers, sometimes as early as six weeks of age. They are cleaned, washing away the smell of feces, urine and other odors they have accumulated, before being sold to brokers. The brokers pack the scared puppies in crates to be shipped hundreds of miles in pick-up trucks, tractor trailers and airplanes, often without proper food, water, ventilation or shelter.
The puppies that survive the unsanitary conditions at the puppy mills and endure the grueling transport to pet stores have rarely received the kind of loving human contact necessary to become suitable companions.
With every dollar spent on a pet store puppy demand goes up and puppy mills produce another litter in deplorable conditions. Every pet store puppy purchased, every puppy sold over the Internet or through newspaper ads contributes to the cruel, vicious cycle of the puppy mill industry.
If people keep buying these puppies cruelty becomes a successful formula for puppy mill owners. Make adoption your first option. Adopt from local shelters and help break this cycle of suffering, misery and death. Local shelters and breed rescue groups can be found at PetFinder.com and pets911.com.
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