For some people, finding the perfect pet means one that comes with paperwork stating that they have the perfect parents and perfect background. But, what the paperwork does not tell them is the suffering that many of the parents go through in order to make that "perfect puppy." Many spend their entire lives in harsh wire cages, unable to walk around, with no proper care or attention. Others live in filthy, overcrowded pens and much, much worse. What these people don't know is that perfect puppy sometimes comes with physical and emotional issues due to no fault of its own. The result is pets that end up in shelters and rescues and the never-ending vicious circle of unwanted animals.
There are approximately 10,000 unlicensed puppy mills in the United States existing solely to make money. This does not include the approximately 3700 breeding facilities licensed by the USDA that are also for the purpose of breeding for the pet trade. But, puppy mills and breeders are just the beginning of the chain. That puppy could not end up in the pet shop window without a broker, an important part of the puppy mill life cycle.
There are organizations that work hard to bring attention to the horror of this cycle. One has been doing so since 1992 and is responsible for undercover investigations featured on Oprah and other venues. Companion Animal Protection Society works actively to address the abuse and suffering of pet shop and puppy mill dogs through investigations, education, media relations, legislative involvement, puppy mill dog rescues, consumer assistance and pet industry employee relations.
Thanks to CAPS and others, certain breeders, brokers and pet shops have been exposed over the years. Social media has given boost to the educated public who also do their part to spread the word, as well as doing their part to report abuse or sick animals. The struggle continues in educating those who do not know how their perfect pet contributes to the never-ending problem. It is also in putting an end to those who function only in the name of money, with no regard for life.
Other puppy mill and breeder facts:
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