Another way to stop puppy mills

[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.

[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