Puppy Mills -- Why Do We Hate Them? And What Can We Do?
67Would You Treat Your Dog Like This?
The term "puppy mills" evokes feelings of disgust and anger among dog lovers. The stories we hear about the oppressive and unsafe conditions for the mothers of puppies, and the too-soon release of puppies for sale, have created outrage among all of us who love dogs.
Safety issues and the lack of human contact are the two most egregious examples of puppy mill abuses. For instance, a target of much legislation for improvement of puppy mills has been the improvement of cages for mothers and their puppies. Low cage height and dangerous wire flooring are among a number of problems cited by animal rights groups.
State regulation of puppy mills shows mixed progress
Most states have few regulations that apply to safety and humane treatment of dogs in mass breeding, puppy mill, operations. In spite of new laws in some states that aim at eradicating the worst abuse of puppy mill operations, more than half of all states have little or no regulation. States that have passed protective requirements have promulgated laws that limit the number of females held for breeding, institute requirements for facility inspection, and establish rules related to appropriate veterinary care. Pennsylvania, Louisiana and Virginia passed laws in 2008 that are intended to curb abuses in puppy mills. Then, in 2010, Missouri passed a landmark law for puppy mill regulation. That law would have greatly improved conditions in puppy mills, but was subsequently overturned following aggressive lobbying from dog breeding advocates.
So what can dog lovers do to assure humane treatment in puppy mills?
In addition to writing and calling local legislators to establish progressive laws relating to puppy mills, there are a number of activities that each dog lover can do to promote improved regulations.
• Coordinate with the Humane Society of the United Sates (HSUS) to establish local advocacy programs
• Establish draft legislation and rally community support for that legislation
• Contact support groups that can advise and provide support for local effort
The following are links that can assist any individual or group with local efforts to impact puppy mill regulation:
Summary
Ongoing mistreatment of dogs in puppy mills angers all dog lovers. Specific steps can be taken by all individuals and groups who would like to take positive action to improve puppy mill conditions.
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thanks for you comments and the kindness in rescuing your dog,,, I am so angry about the conditions about some of these dog breeding -- puppy mill -- operations,, i hope we'll see more positive legislation in more states in the future...
Thank you for writing this hub, it is an important topic and one that deserves as much exposure as possible. Profit should never come before health and wellbeing.
Keep up the good work.
Regards
Aiden
thanks aiden,, i look forward to reading your articles on dogs and dog care
Thank you for your comment on Maxine, the story of a puppy mill dog used for breeding. Your Hub is great. The only suggestion I might make is to mention The Puppy Mill Project. They are a great group who fights puppy mills on the front lines by picketing pet stores who sell puppies.
Also, I am writing under Max A. Pooch. Max is trying to get on a Times Square billboard. You can learn all about it by going to his website at http://www.maxapooch.com
Just look for the pic of Max on a billboard and the link.
THanks,, I'll amend my hub to include the puppy mill project
ok thanks Keith,, puppy mill project is now added...
Glad you are commenting on this. I actually own a dog that was born in a clinic after its mother was rescued from a puppy mill. Apparently the puppy mill went out of business and the dogs were sold at auction. A group of rescuers raised money, drove to Texas, Bought the dogs and returned them to the bay area. I think there were about 50 or so. There are a great bunch of folks out here doing this.
good for you!!! We just rescued our little dog,, college kids found him and couldn't keep him..... looking forward to your writing...
Great hub about a very serious issue. I could never be one of the animal police, the dogs would make it out fine but the owners of these puppy mills would be another story. I have such a soft spot for dogs, I can't even watch the ASPCA commercials without getting teary eyed.
I know,, I can't watch them either
I know,, I can't watch them either
Thumbs Up. Best Hub I have read on the topic.
thanks so much !!!
Our dog Beau came from the Brittany Rescue. They have gotten so many dogs from irresponsible breeders. The way I fight against puppy mills is by encouraging people to get dogs from rescues etc. I should be doing more.
Thanks Barbara
Great article. I am not really into the Peta movement stuff but i love dogs and I hate to see them caged up so tightly and breed so much. I do think there should be some kind of regulations to make sure these animals are in a good environment.
yes,, the state laws are really all over the board... animal cruelty issues are a big deal in AZ
homesteadbound Level 8 Commenter 8 months ago
I adopted a female who was a rescue from a puppy mill. She is now a gorgeous pomeranian, but when they rescued her she had no hair. When i adopted her, she had thin hair, and it took me 12 hours to comb all the scabs out of her hair from her skin. The vet cannot tell how old she is because she doesn't have enough teeth. She chewed on the cage so much that her teeth are pretty well destroyed. We have had her for 2 years now, and she has gradually changed into a true joy to have. We named her "Angel" and she is indeed an angel. Her eagerness to respond to my wishes never fails to bring a smile to my face.