Puppy Mill Facts
There’s no secret that puppy mills are horrible. However, when people are looking to buy a specific purebred dog, they sometimes knowingly, or unknowingly, acquire one that came from a puppy mill.
Places like your local pet shop will often get their dogs from puppy mills. Puppies sold online more times than not also come from puppy mills. A responsible breeder would never just hand off a dog without meeting the person who is looking to buy. Most operators of puppy mills don’t care about the dog’s wellbeing and will sell to whomever if the price is right — no questioned asked.
Remember, buying a purebred dog isn’t your only option. These dogs end up in shelters just like a mixed-breed dog would, so it’s important to check your local shelter before you start looking elsewhere. If you’re insistent about buying a purebred dog, then be sure to scope out a responsible breeder.
We’ve found 10 reason you should never buy a puppy mill dog — no matter how good the price may seem. Here are puppy mill facts you need to know.
It’s profit over health.
Puppy mills mass produce dogs so they have more to sell. The health and general well-being of the mother and pups is not even close to being a concern for operators.
Puppies are often stricken with diseases.
Because no emphasis is placed on health, puppy mill dogs are often riddle with disease. Whether it’s clear or not, your puppy will definitely have an aliment ranging from heart worm to kidney disease.
Puppies will have behavioral problems.
These puppies are taken away from their mother right away, with no chance to bond during the first weeks of birth, which is crucial. This can lead to aggression, anxiety or shyness.
Female dogs are often killed with no regard.
If the breeding dog can no longer produce puppies, she is killed. Because she has virtually no recovery time from her last litter, she can become depleted quickly.
Inhumane housing is a way of life.
Dogs are often caged in a tight space, living in their own feces and urine. Also, since sick dogs aren’t removed from area, more can become infected. Breeding dogs may not even get the chance to see sunlight before they die.
Puppies are often malnourished.
The food and water provided can be contaminated with anything. Plus, there is never an adequate amount to go around for all the dogs.
There is no veterinary care.
Again, health is not a concern for the operators of puppy mills. Often sick dogs will be integrated with healthy ones until death.
They are sold at pet stores… and then what?
Remember last week when you saw that cute puppy in the store window and now he/she isn’t there anymore? The pup probably wasn’t adopted, but was sick and died and/or was euthanized.
They often die quickly after purchase.
There have been numerous cases when an innocent person purchased a dog, and within weeks, the dog died from a puppy mill-related disease.
Even legit breeders can operate as a puppy mill.
We’re not going to say there aren’t any legit breeders in the world, who are looking to sell purebred dogs who have been taken care of properly. However, just because something seems okay, doesn’t mean it is.