Stop Puppy Mills!!

While many people may be familiar with the term "puppy mill" few are aware of the magnitude of the horrors associated with them. Puppy mills are facilities that mass-produce puppies for sale to individuals or to pet stores throughout the country as well as foreign markets. From back yard breeders to those selling via the Internet, thousands of puppy mills aren't even regulated or inspected by the USDA since they sell directly to the public. At present a USDA license is required for anyone with four or more "intact bitches" who sells "wholesale" to brokers (dealers) or directly to pet stores. Whether they are born in a licensed facility or not, puppies face a dismal and uncertain fate at the hands of individuals who are motivated by greed. Some die while being transported to pet stores or shortly thereafter and others find themselves in the hands of irresponsible or abusive guardians.

The dogs used for breeding suffer endless imprisonment in small cramped cages, often soiled with their own excrement, breeding litter after litter till they can no longer reproduce and then are just discarded. Some are dumped on the side of the road to fend for themselves after a lifetime spent in a cramped cage, others are given to shelters, and worst of all some are killed by the hands of their life-long captors.

Please don't buy animals from pet shops or breeders! Each puppy purchased from a pet store, a back yard breeder, or via the Internet serves an industry with no conscience. Thousands of unwanted animals of all ages and breeds are euthanize at pounds and shelters every day. Adopt and spay or neuter an animal from your local shelter or rescue group and help break the cycle of suffering, misery, and death.

PS...

I have two male Shelties that were rescued from two different puppy mills. Both came from mills that were shut down by the state where they resided. Although the above pictures are not of their particular mills, they are a very good example of the living conditions both of them were subjected to for several years. It's heartbreaking to me that someone put them through that hell.

They are both wonderful companions. Rescuing them was one of the most rewarding decisions I have made in my life. It feels good knowing they will never be subjected to such horrible treatment again and the amazing thing is I think they know it as well.