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.

[Trek420]

I think the primary way to stop puppy mills is if you want a dog "shop" your local shelter first. If you want a particular breed "shop" your local breed-specific rescue group first.

I can understand the need for respectable breeders and those working for the betterment of a breed especially for working dogs like guide dogs etc. You can find a great dog through a shelter or rescue group and you're saving a life.

Folks there are too many dogs and not enough good loving homes.

[PamNY]

I think the primary way to stop puppy mills is if you want a dog "shop" your local shelter first. If you want a particular breed "shop" your local breed-specific rescue group first. (

Of course that's the primary way. Stating the solution is easy. Getting the point across to the general public is hard.

[Aggie_Ama]

I have a particularly sore spot for backyard breeders, puppymillers and anyone who puts a dollar before their animals. My sweet innoncent Maggie Bear was sold off by a "backyard" style breeder - who was a VET!!!! She was sold because "she wouldn't take anymore". The sweetest dog ever but she couldn't eat from a bowl when we got her and took a long time to learn to pee on grass, not concrete. She had her ears cropped but they didn't look right, I always wondered if the Vet just wanted to teach a tech how and why not use one of the kennel dogs?All she wanted was to be held and loved. She only lived to be 9 and her breed usually lives to be 15. But her poor kidneys were done by 8.5 years. My vet did not discount it was from her past life. It broke our hearts but we are glad we gave her a better life than the first 4 years she spent cranking out puppies.

[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.

[TsPoet]

I have a particularly sore spot for backyard breeders, puppymillers and anyone who puts a dollar before their animals.

I used to feel that way. Then I joined our local dog training club and met "backyard" breeders of the ilk that belong to dog training clubs. Most of these (all women) breed for the betterment of the breed. One example is my friend Linda, who breeds Italian Greyhounds. I've seen her's jump off of 6' heights and run off happy. I've also seen an IG jump off a 6" table in agility and break its leg! Not one of hers. Linda's whole point is to breed a strong, healthy dog. She has 1-2 litters/year (usually 1) from one of her 4 female dogs (I'm assuming the word would be nixed here, so didn't even try).
Responsible breeders are trying to breed the dogs to be the best they can be. There are exceptions, there are breeds where the "standard" is a measure of pretty which isn't healthy. But, many, like IGs and many of the terrier's, part of the breed standard is strength and health.
Disclaimer - I am owned by two mutts that I rescued, one from the Humane Society and one from a local rescue group. I've become interested in reputable breeders because I'm tired, both of my guys have had serious socialization issues - I work with them constantly, putting in hours every day. I also love them both with every fiber of my being.
My next dog will be a purebred Border Terrier or Shiba Inu from a reputable breeder and I'm going to make sure it's socialized and participate in performance sports (agility with the terrier and tracking with the Shiba as well as other potential "sports"). But, I just want a dog that isn't going to bite, or growl or, or pee out of fear when someone comes near.

http://015d09f.netsolhost.com/pack.html

[Aggie_Ama]

I meant backyard breeders who just have a couple dogs they breed over and over again for the bottom line of selling the puppies, like my poor Maggie was. I have actually known people who ran small breeding operations, would breed the females only a couple times then retire them. They breed for temperment, breed standards and genetically test. Their dogs are socialized, trained, loved, nutured. Poor Maggie was not in that type of operation. I have let go of most of my anger, mostly I just miss my little Maggie Bear these days.

[TsPoet]

Poor Maggie was not in that type of operation. I have let go of most of my anger, mostly I just miss my little Maggie Bear these days.

I know, that's terribly sad. Especially for the health reasons in her case. I'm glad she found a good home where she was loved.
I don't know about Murphy. Finn was an oops when a farmer's beagle and a home owner's shiba somehow met on the same side of the fence. Which can get us started on the spay and neuter topic...

[beancounterbeth]

, mostly I just miss my little Maggie Bear these days.

I am sitting here at work trying not to cry reading your posts. I am so sorry you no longer have your sweet Maggie Bear but thankfully she had a great mom like you for part of her life. I have a small poodle who is like a child to me and I dread the day I no longer have her.

The mistreatment of animals is so horrible and breaks my heart. I recently became a vegetarian because I no longer can accept the way cows, chickens and other livestock are treated.

[Tuckervill]

I hear Missouri has a terrible reputation for puppy mills, too. That has spread a little around my area (closest Arkansas county to MO). What I am appalled by is the sheer number of people who bring their car out to a parking lot on the main drag, and set up a sign and put the pups in a playpen out in the hot sun. I am sure that Wal-Mart does not know who is setting up in the far reaches of their parking lot. There is no way in hades I would buy a puppy from these people. But they always have customers.

Karen