Some advice for the prospective puppy owner

About 2 years go my friend Karen arrived at my hospital with a new puppy. He was a gorgeous Cocker Spaniel. I was a bit surprised since she had not mentioned getting a pup. Then she explained that he was from the pet shop. She had seen him while she was shopping and fell in love. I stared at her. She became a little uncomfortable. I was preparing to launch into a lecture on the evils of puppy mills, when in the nick of time, she said she knew it was wrong, but she had to save him. It is hard to be upset with your best friend and so little Gus got a thorough examination and went home to live happily ever after.

Puppy Mill is the term applied to places where dogs are bred indiscriminately and maintained in kennels (not in a home environment) and bred frequently, often with no concern for their health. The cruelty and essential barbarism of this industry is difficult to comprehend. These poor dogs are kept in conditions that are so horrific that I can not appreciate how any human being could be party to these operations. Then when you consider the total disregard and disrespect of the dogs, the lack of medical care, socialization, feeding or exercise, it should really make us all a little ashamed that these operations persist in our country. The puppies that leave these operations are the fortunate ones. The pups are transported by trucks, with no heat or air conditioning and are seldom fed, watered or cared for during the trip. Pups can arrive at their destination dead or gravely ill.

It is hard to imagine that the puppy mill industry is able to thrive when our humane organizations, rescues and shelters are overflowing and so many dogs are being euthanized for lack of a home. Often puppy mill puppies are sold for exceptionally high prices. Frankly, the industry of mass puppy production and sales depends on our humanity for its success. Whether it is the strong impulse we feel to rescue that cute puppy from a cage at a pet shop or our unwillingness to research our purchase before we make it, our human nature, our desire and empathy, draws us towards that immediate gratification and the purchase of that new pup.

Here are some suggestions that may help you avoid supporting the Puppy Mill industry:

1. Take time to research the type of dog you want. Never make an impulse purchase.
2. Always take time to visit local rescues because they may have a wonderful mixed breed dog or pup that meets or exceeds all your expectations.
3. Contact local rescues, shelters and humane societies to see if they have breeds for adoption that you are interested in. You would be surprised how many purebred dogs are available at the local shelters.
4. Visit with local breeders. Almost every breed group has a regional club. Those club members are active advocates for the breed and can be, quite literally, a fountain of information.
5. ALWAYS see where your puppy came from. Try to meet at least one of the parents.
6. People that breed often and breed multiple different breeds of dog should be held suspect of operating a Puppy Mill.
7. And most importantly - Remember, this is a new member to your family. They will be living with you for 10 or more years. Make a careful and well researched decision.

If you would like to learn more about Puppy Mills visit humanesociety.org/puppy or http://network.bestfriends.org/campaigns/puppies-arent-products