Another way to stop puppy mills

[PamNY]

Interesting article in Newsweek. Horizon Organics refuses to buy milk from farmers who operate puppy mills. Whole Foods is taking a stand on the issue as well. Finally, something to like about Whole Foods.

[Dogmama]

How many farmers operate puppy mills? I appreciate their sentiment, but I'm just wondering...

[OakLeaf]

There's a reputation that it's common among Amish farmers in Ohio. I'm not sure how much of that is true and how much is bigotry, but it's notable that the Newsweek story is out of Lancaster County, PA, the heart of "Pennsylvania Dutch" country, which they also describe as the heart of the puppy industry.

Still, I think the title of this thread should be "another reason not to buy animal products from a farm you haven't personally seen."

[papaver]

here they are trying to find solutions to avoid those puppy mills, but I think it's useless. Now shops are not allowed to sell puppies, you can't buy them on markets and stuff to avoid that people would buy them on impulse.

You can only buy a puppy at a licensed breeder. Or at a illigal breeder, where puppies live in the most horrible conditions

[kermit]

I've googled Amish puppy mills and the stories I've seen are pretty horrible. I can't say I know of any other farmers operating puppy mills. There is a huge jack russell puppy mill by my mom in Ocala, they advertise having as many as 10 litters at a time. That is just one of many in Florida. We have had a great attack on puppy stores selling sick puppies from puppy mills. Criminal charges in some cases. I hope it continues. It's great that whole foods is making an effort.

[PamNY]

I think, though I don't know firsthand, that the farmers in question handle dogs the same way that animals used for food are handled (I haven't seen any mention of how the cows are treated). Shutting down the puppy mills is better than nothing, though.

I have thought about visiting the farms I buy from, but it would cost several hundred dollars in car rental. And probably make the owners paranoid, even if they have no reason to be. There are all kinds of rules for farmers participating in the NYC Greenmarket program.

[GLC1968]

Still, I think the title of this thread should be "another reason not to buy animal products from a farm you haven't personally seen."

Agreed.

I heard something on the radio not too long ago about an Oregon law that was limiting the number of breeding animals a facility could have on hand at any time. There was some debate about it's effectiveness since you could be a large facility with tons of handlers and be treating your dogs better than a single backyard breeder with just one abused dog. This is true of course, but I was pleased that at least there are some legal steps being considered.