This holiday season, many people will purchase puppies as gifts for family members or friends. But do people know where these puppies come from? I’m still amazed at the number of pet stores selling puppies and all the people who are unaware that those puppies are not from reputable, responsible, compassionate, quality breeders. We need to continue to educate the public and ask ourselves and others why we should care about the effects of puppy mills on our canine companion friends…
6 WAYS TO STOP PUPPY MILLS
1. CONTACT YOUR FEDERAL & STATE LEGISLATORS.
- www.legis.state.pa.us (Click on “Who’s My Legislator”).
- Write or meet with your legislator and tell him/her why you won’t support puppy mills. Supplement your letter or conversation with factual information and let him/her know this is an issue that matters to your vote.
- Support dog laws that improve living conditions for breeder dogs.
- Contact your local politicians (mayors, commissioners, etc.)
2. DO NOT PURCHASE PUPPIES FROM PET STORES OR THE INTERNET.
- Responsible, reputable, quality, compassionate dog breeders will never sell their puppies to pet stores or sell them online.
- Do not purchase ANY product from a pet store (including food, toys or supplies) that sells puppies. It supplies the store with additional revenue to continue their business.
3. DO YOUR RESEARCH WHEN PURCHASING A PUPPY.
- Review kennel inspection reports online: www.padogs.state.pa.us/publickennels/searchkennelinspections.aspx
- Ask questions:
- What is the health, temperament and behavior of the mother & father of the puppies?
- Where are the mother, father & puppies housed?
- Is more than one dog being bred? Is more than one breed being bred?
4. ADOPT A PUPPY OR DOG FROM A HUMANE SOCIETY, SPCA OR BREED-SPECIFIC RESCUE.
- Benefits of adoption:
- Save a life.
- Give a dog a safe, warm home to live in. Share your life with a companion.
- Adult dogs are most often house trained and past the “puppy training” stage.
- Challenge yourself by taking on a special needs dog or a dog with trainable behavior issues.
- Dogs in shelters and rescues started out as puppies. They are given up due to lack of commitment or neglect. Dogs with behavior or health challenges come from non-quality breeders and therefore end up in shelters or rescues when they are not what the owner expects.
5. VOLUNTEER AT YOUR LOCAL HUMANE SOCIETY, SPCA OR BREED-SPECIFIC RESCUE.
- There are many volunteer opportunities including walking dogs, bathing dogs, paperwork, phone calls, cleaning… the list goes on and on!
- Donate money and support by attending events.
- Donate wish list items such as blankets, toys, treats & supplies.
6. SPREAD THE WORD!
- Tell your friends and family what you have learned about the inhumane conditions and treatment of dogs at puppy mills.
- Support or create an organization to educate the public.
- Use social media (such as Facebook) to post messages or “Like” groups who are helping to spread the word about puppy mills.
