| You have wanted a dog for the longest time and | | | | 3. Animal Rescue or Foster Homes - There are |
| have begun your search for that special breed that | | | | individuals who provide temporary housing for specific |
| fits your criteria. After typing in a few searches you | | | | breeds while waiting to place them in the right home. |
| come across several sites that seem to have what | | | | These "dog lovers" will undoubtedly have a strict |
| you are looking for. The pictures are cute and the | | | | interviewing process before placing the animal. They |
| pages are full of lovable, cuddly descriptions that are | | | | will ask tough questions to ensure the buyer is well |
| enticing you to look closer. Your heart starts to race | | | | intentioned and able to provide a loving environment |
| as you see the perfect dog, waiting to leap from the | | | | to the animal. The last thing they want to have |
| screen into your arms. Before you pick up the phone | | | | happen, is to place the dog into a setting where they |
| or send the e-mail to inquire more about the dog, | | | | are abused, neglected and eventually given away. |
| you may want to make sure you are not looking at | | | | Their goal is to match a responsible owner who is |
| a puppy mill breeder. | | | | ready, willing and able to properly care for the animal.. |
| Puppy Mills are well established facilities with the sole | | | | 4. Research, Research, Research - Many local |
| purpose of breeding and selling dogs for extensive | | | | breeders are available through the internet and have |
| profits without regard to the health and welfare of | | | | reviews and testimonials. Many websites and |
| the animals. These operations have been around for | | | | newspaper ads are placed by Puppy Mill owners who |
| decades thrive as consumers are unaware of the | | | | market their stock to unsuspecting consumers. If you |
| deplorable conditions these animals live in prior to | | | | do come across a website that looks legitimately run, |
| arriving at the pet stores. | | | | be sure to research them carefully and visit the |
| In particular, animals considered "Breeding Stock" are | | | | location if you are seriously considering an animal. A |
| continually bred year after year and spend their | | | | site visit will be very telling when you see the |
| entire lives in small cages without human interaction, | | | | conditions the animals are raised in. If the seller is |
| minimal veterinary care and little access to basic | | | | hesitant in any way, move on. |
| comforts like a blanket or toy. Once there usefulness | | | | 5. Avoid Pet Stores - Even though Pet stores market |
| has passed, they are exterminated, abandoned or | | | | their puppies in malls to unsuspecting dog lovers, |
| resold to other mills. | | | | many carry puppies from mills even though they may |
| This endless cycle results in hundreds of thousands | | | | claim that their animals come from good breeders.. |
| of puppies hitting pet stores and websites across the | | | | 6. Resist trying to purchase a puppy from a mill to |
| country, many destined to have health and behavioral | | | | save them - This will still give the owner what they |
| issues. These individuals often falsely claim the animals | | | | want, cash. Even though your intentions are well |
| are well cared for and raised within a family oriented | | | | founded, the money used for the purchase will |
| environment. These unscrupulous owners are very | | | | continue to fund the operation and other puppies will |
| skilled at keeping their operations secret in order to | | | | easily fill the gap. The ultimate way to reduce the |
| make the sale. When considering an online pet | | | | need for puppy mills is to remove demand by |
| adoption, The US Humane Society recommends the | | | | purchasing animals from reputable sources. |
| following tips: | | | | In summary, your quest to get the dog you always |
| 1. Shelters - Purchasing a dog from an animal shelter | | | | wanted can be a bit more work than you would |
| is one key way to avoid the puppy mill. | | | | expect. However, making sure the animal is coming |
| Unfortunately, many people drop off well behaved | | | | from a reputable source will be much more beneficial |
| animals to these shelters, due to changes in financial | | | | in the long run as most puppy mill dogs suffer from |
| situations, job relocation or just the inability to | | | | health and behavioral issues due to their living |
| properly care for the animal. | | | | conditions and treatment. |