PUPPY MILLS The Sad Truth: Facts and Statistics
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Did you know that in the United States, an estimated 98% of puppies sold in pet stores come from Puppy Mills?
WHAT IS A PUPPY MILL?
My simple definition: A puppy mill is a form of animal cruelty and neglect.
Wikipedia’s definition: A puppy mill, sometimes known as a puppy farm, is a commercial dog breeding facility that is operated with an emphasis upon profits above animal welfare and is often in substandard conditions regarding the well-being of dogs in their care.
PUPPY MILLS ARE LEGAL. Only large-scale commercial facilities considered “wholesale” operations, selling animals to pet stores for example, are required to be licensed by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) through the AWA (Animal Welfare Act). The AWA which is enforced by the USDA outlines (very minimum) standards of care for animals bred for commercial resale.
The owners of these puppy mills are known as “commercial breeders.” The main goal of commercial breeders is profit. Puppies from these mills are usually sold as purebred dogs in an attempt to attract higher prices. To gain more profit, many corners are cut which leads to inhumane treatment.
The bare minimum care requirements of the AWA are not much more than requiring food, water and shelter. In addition, each state only has a few inspectors for hundreds, even thousands of licensed kennels making it impossible to track the overwhelming amount of inhumane treatment in puppy mills. Therefore, violators are rarely fined; their licenses are rarely suspended; repeated violations go unnoticed; and these breeders are able to keep renewing their license. According to the Humane Society of the United States, there are “inefficiencies and loopholes in the system.”
PUPPY MILLS WITH NO LICENSE REQUIRED
PUPPY MILLS THAT SELL DIRECTLY TO THE PUBLIC, THROUGH AVENUES SUCH AS THE INTERNET AND DOG AUCTIONS, ARE NOT REQUIRED TO ADHERE TO THE ANIMAL WELFARE ACT OR TO ANY FEDERAL HUMANE CARE STANDARDS!
Also see my new article The Legal But Inhumane World of DOG AUCTIONS
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More often than not, WHAT HAPPENS IN PUPPY MILLS
Puppy mill dogs are forced to live in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. They have no human companionship. They live in small wire cages, individually stacked on top of each other, often in their own feces. They remain caged for months, even years. In many cases, their feet never touch the ground. They don’t get a chance to run in the grass and play. They don’t receive toys and treats. They may not even receive food and water. They are not socialized. They do not receive adequate veterinary care. They don’t exercise or receive basic grooming. They are exposed to the elements possibly sweltering in the heat or freezing in the cold.
Females are bred as often as possible without skipping a heat cycle. When they are no longer able to produce puppies, they are discarded, in some cases like trash.
Puppies are often weaned from their mother way too early. They are more likely to have health problems due to poor care. Consumers who purchase these puppies are often faced with significant veterinary bills or even the death of their puppy soon after purchase.
PROFIT IS THE MAIN INCENTIVE! A puppy mill operates differently than a responsible, humane breeder.
With a little knowledge, you can tell the difference . . .
- A puppy mill breeder may have many breeds of dogs for sale at the same time. A humane breeder will work with one breed at a time.
- A puppy mill breeder usually will not allow customers to view their property or kennel. A humane breeder will welcome you into their home and kennel area.
- A puppy mill breeder may offer to ship a puppy to the new owner without meeting you first. A humane breeder is eager to meet you and your family first.
- A puppy mill breeder won’t require an application or references from a buyer. A humane breeder will require a completed application (contract) and possibly additional references.
- A puppy mill breeder does not ask buyers to return the dog or contact them if at any point in the dog’s life the owners cannot keep the dog. A humane breeder will tell you that if there if ever a reason that you cannot keep the dog, contact them and they will take the dog back.
- A puppy mill breeder has a very large kennel, usually owning 50 to several hundred dogs or more. A humane breeder will have sufficient kennel space with a limited amount of puppies available at one time.
- A puppy mill breeder breeds females every time they come into heat. A humane breeder will skip heat cycles and give enough recovery time as necessary.
- A puppy mill breeder is USDA licensed (in many cases) so that they can sell puppies to pet stores. This is a red flag that a breeder is in the “profit only” business. A humane breeder has no reason to be USDA licensed.
- A puppy mill breeder will not screen their puppies for genetic defects. A humane breeder will have all the appropriate screenings completed on all the puppies for sale. They will present screening certificates to the new owners.
- A puppy mill breeder will not tell you of any health problems the puppy may have. A humane breeder will be upfront and honest.
- A puppy mill breeder prefers to deal with cash and will not offer you a payment plan. A humane breeder will not insist on only a cash deal. And they may offer a payment plan beginning with an initial deposit.
- A puppy mill breeder does not put the welfare of the dogs/puppies first. A humane breeder's main focus is the welfare of the dogs/puppies.
- A puppy mill breeder will buy and sell dogs at a dog auction. A humane breeder would never step near a dog auction.
A PUPPY MILL IS NOT THE PLACE FOR MAN’S BEST FRIEND TO BEGIN LIFE!
Sharon's Slant
A Few More Statistics:
- It’s estimated that 4 million dogs are bred in puppy mills every year.
- There are nearly 6,000 USDA-licensed commercial kennels in the U.S. (not including an untold number of unlicensed)
- 4-5 million animals die in shelters every year (roughly 11,000 every day)
PUPPY MILL AWARENESS DAY
Saturday, September 17, 2011
But it really isn't just one day, it's every day!
PUPPY FRIENDLY PET STORES
There are pet stores that are “puppy friendly” meaning they do not support nor purchase puppies from cruel puppy mills. The Humane Society of the United States tracks these pet friendly stores. Click HERE to see a list by state.
WHAT KIND OF LOVER ARE YOU?
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Thank you for putting this information out there. I'm sure most people are not aware of how cruel these puppy mills operate. I wish there was a way to shut them down.
Good Morning Hyphenbird,
OMG, I can't believe that someone gave their dog back because they remodeled and the dog didn't go with the new decor. Although I'm glad that she took the dog back and didn't just let him loose, her reasoning is sick! I wonder if she got rid of the kids and husband in a similar "fashion."
I really appreciate you stopping by and commenting! Thank you,
Sharyn
Hello Diana Lee,
I agree so many people are not aware of what really goes on in puppy mills. They shop at the mall, walk past a pet store with cute puppies in the window, and they are hooked. They have no idea of the puppies true history.
There are many efforts taking place to diminish the use of puppy mills. Here in Ohio for example, there is a Coalition to Ban Ohio Dog Auctions. http://www.banohiodogauctions.com/Overview.html
Dog auctions are an easy avenue for puppy mill breeders to sell directly to the public, without the required registration of a commercial breeder. If dog auctions were banned, this will help put the puppy mills out of business.
Thanks Diana Lee for commenting. Have a great day!
Sharyn
This is why I never buy a pet. There are already millions of pets out there looking for homes that you can adopt. There is no justifiable reason to pay for a pet and contribute to the success of these mills who only care about making money and care nothing for the actual animals.
Dogs are just as much people as people are
It blows my mind just how much personality and emotions they have
I hate all forms of animal cruelty, and turning them into a PRODUCT
Thanks for this hub
LennyP, Thank you for reading and commenting. I have learned that the only time I will "pay" for a pet is if I am paying a small price for a dog or cat rescued/adopted from a shelter. Usually the fee is to defer the cost of the animal being spayed or neutered at the shelter. But my more recent acquired pets were strays that did not have a price tag on them. They came into my life and made it brighter :)
Hey Benny,
How are you? You are so right about animal personalities. They come into our lives and bring so much joy to our hearts. For those of us who truly have love and compassion for animals, any form of animal cruelty literally makes us sick. And to actually see and understand what truly takes place in most puppy mills is disgusting and hard to fathom. Thank you for your support Benny!
Great hub Sharyn- I have to admit that I shy away from some of these stories because they make me so sick, I mean they really upset me but the good news is that there are so many people that care and are trying to make a difference that awareness is a must! Thank you for writing!
I definitely agree CK, awareness is a must! I hope my putting a lil bit of information out there helps in some way. Thanks so much for reading/commenting! Have great day!
Thank you for writing this hub, Sharyn. I know information like this makes people sad (it should!) but it needs to be out there, as Chatkath said. It's such a sad state of things when people look to living, breathing and feeling creatures as nothing but a form of profit.
It is a sad truth, but a well done hub. Thank you for putting this information together. Awareness is one of the ways to stop this. Rated up and useful.
Hello D.A.M.,
Thanks so much for stopping by and for your truthful comments. I look forward to reading more of your hubs!
Sharyn
toknowinfo,
Thank you for reading this important hub and rating it as well. It is SO important to get information out there. Even if it is just a simple article at a time. Thanks so much!
Sharyn
I did not want to read this hub... I hate ---- like this. I read it though and now I am sick to my stomach and in tears. You have opened so many eyes to what really goes on. For that I Thank You. The more people we have fighting animal cruelty the better... Sigh..... Deep Breath....
Oh JB, sorry you are sick to your stomach. That means that you are a true animal lover! There are so many eyes yet that need to be opened. Every little bit helps. Thank you for reading!
Sharyn
This is SO SAD!!! I am a college student, and just got done with a research paper on Animal Cruelty, so I have found out tons about this topic and its just horrible what people do for money, or for any reason! This just makes me so terribly sick and every time I come across things like this I just cry my eyes out for these poor animals!! These people need done to them what they do to these defenseless creatures and maybe then Animal Cruelty will stop!
Hi Kyenny,
Thanks so much for reading and commenting. It is a tough battle against animal cruelty. But I do believe that any little bit of information shared is helpful.
I like your idea ~ let's take these puppy mill owners and stick them in tiny cages where they can't even turn around. Let them experience all the pain and discomfort the animals feel. Maybe then they will get it.
Take care,
Sharyn
Well, Sharyn, you know you've written about a subject that is #1 in my life...animal protection/rights/welfare. This is an incredibly precise, complete and informative hub. I highly respect your fortitude and caring to have authored such a fantastic article. The AWA is weak, watered down and only 'covers' a minimum standard, as you have so aptly pointed out. The AWA has been too heavily influenced by profiteers both in huge, mega agribusinesses (egg industry, meat, poultry, etc. AND breeders). The miniscule protection given animals in all aspects of human "use" is almost useless..cage sizes too small, exercise deemed almost unimportant...I know I'm preaching to the choir as you are well aware of these things. It is a shame that breeders care so little for their "product" and so much about profit. At the expense of living, feeling animals whose only "crime" was to be born. Thank you so much for this, Sharyn..it needs to be said and it needs to be read!!! UP, AWESOME, USEFUL, Shared and Like on FB Kathy
LC,
Thank YOU! I have no doubt that this information touches you in a painful way. Your comments about the AWA are right on! The "little protection" by the AWA is a shame. So much more needs to change.
I do believe that just giving people information on how to choose a reputable breeder makes a difference. It still amazes me how many people buy from a pet store. Thank you for your support and for sharing this information with others!
Sharyn
These posts are really Great ..nice
Hello htodd,
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. It is very much appreciated. Have a great day!
Sharyn
While I agree that a private breeder is more preferable to puppy mills, I am completely sold on pet adoption; the throwaway pups left to languish. I found a priceless jewel at the local pound.
Hi Shonda,
I absolutely agree with you. The best pups can be found at our local shelters. Thanks so much for stopping by.
Sharyn
Love this hub, great in-depth information about what really goes on in these animals lives. The documentary earthlings is what brought my attention to this sad truth, I couldn't even watch the whole film, it shows the abuse not only pets indure, but all animals (inhabitants of this earth)!
Hello Notasheep,
Thanks so much for stopping by. Your comments are very much appreciated.
Sharyn
My yellow lab, Lexi, was used as a breeder in a puppy mill. She lived in a chicken coop, ate out of a trough like cattle, and never had played. She was rescued and we adopted her. It took a while for her to adjust and trust us. Now she is the happiest, most spoiled dog on the planet. We love giving her the life she almost never had. Thanks for this meaningful hub! Everyone needs to know. Voted up.
Good morning Sinea,
It's great to meet you. Thank you so much for stopping by and following. Lexi is one lucky girl. Thank goodness she found your family. Have a great day!
Sharyn
Hello! Thank you for all of this information, it is extremely helpful for the research paper I'm writing about puppy mills. I am just curious to know how up-to-date these statistics are, so that I know whether or not I can use them in my paper. Thanks so much!
Hello! Thank you for all of this information, it is extremely helpful for the research paper I'm writing about puppy mills. I am just curious to know how up-to-date these statistics are, so that I know whether or not I can use them in my paper. Thanks so much!
Hi Rosie,
Thanks for stopping by. This piece was written on March 21, 2011. So eight months ago. I would say that the statistics are still quite accurate. Also check out the Ban Ohio Dog Auctions website. This coalition is extremely active and no doubt has all kinds of up to date information. Best wishes on your research paper!
Sharyn
This is so sad. What is wrong with us humans, it really gets to me. This hub was well written and as sad as it hurts my heart, its better to know, how can we do anything to stop the cruelty if we don't know about it. Thank you for writing it.
Hi Lesley,
Thank you for stopping by to check this out. It is extremely sad yet so important for people to understand what goes on behind the scenes. I really appreciate your feedback. Have a wonderful evening!
Sharyn
This is a subject that really needs this level of exposure. North Carolina is one state that does not have a state law to ban puppy mills and they are very popular here. People make so much money mass producing dogs and cross breeding dogs like Puggles. People come from all over to buy them too. It is inhumane and they really do live in cold warehouses packed in cages. It is sad. I am glad someone is bringing attention to this matter.
As long as breeders see cats, dogs, or any animal, as creatures without feelings, emotions... they will never feel remorse with what they are doing, and that is maximizing profit with the well-being of the animals as trade-offs.
They love the money and use creatures/animals, while the (dog, cat, etc) pet lovers love the animals and use money.
Sharyn....This is a sad fact with horrifying statistics, that I am all too aware of. I have known for years that the puppies in the pet stores are largely from Puppy mills (if not ALL of them) I have always warned friends and family of this and advised them to not shop for pets in these stores.....due to the fact that they have many many issues and illnesses. Poor babies.
What annoys me the most, Sharyn, is why haven't the animal activists and PETA and the other various groups come down hard on the Mill situation? I don't understand. They could do so much and accomplish more than just individuals.......Great hub. UP++
Hi Tammy ~ You are so right. This needs exposure in every single state, etc. Ohio is currently working on a law to ban dog auctions which in turn will affect the puppy mills. Also, it includes that no one from another state can come in to Ohio either to purchase or sell. They have been working on it for a couple years now and we have gotten so far as the "bill" is sitting in the Senate currently. If they do not approve, it will be put on the November ballot. It really is a sin, so inhumane. It truly makes me sick when I think about it. Thank you for your concerned feedback!
Sharyn
tenkay ~ Unfortunately, that is a sad reality. The whole profit factor is disgusting. These puppy mill breeders do not have emotions about their "product." I appreciate your feedback, thank you so much.
Sharyn
Hi Paula ~ The statistics are horrifying, aren't they. Gosh, just sickening. I have known this for many years too. My dog Buttons was purchased by my sister from a pet store and I ended up with him. Don't get me wrong, Buttons was an awesome dog and lived to be almost 15 years old, but he had inherited problems that may have been attributed to puppy mills. I have warned friends and family too as I would never buy a dog from a pet store anywhere.
I don't know much about why the "activists" are not involved more with this important issue. I do know that Ohio is truly trying to do something about it. See my comment to Tammy above. Thank you Paula for your feedback and votes too.
Sharyn
This makes me so mad! It also makes me so sick that humans are actually allowed to treat animals this way (and this includes farm animals). There is actual science now (think I read the article in TIME!) that proves what pet lovers have known for years - animals have a far greater range of emotions than people realize . . . and look what we do to them. Makes we want to cry!
There is a way to stop them (in response to Diana Lee) - don't buy from them! Only adopt your pets from shelters or the pound. Put the mills out of business!
You mentioned that mills will have hundreds of animals whereas caring breeders only have several animals . . . well, maybe that's another way to stop them - only allow a person to own a very limited amount of animals. The bottom line, though, is that it does all come down to money and the gov't's unwillingness to step on "commerce".
BTW - think England bans pet stores - GREAT idea!
Oh! So sad. I can't go into pet stores anymore. I love to see the pups and I'm afraid I'll purchase one. This is a fantastic hub! Thanks - voted up and awesome!
Hello Gemini Fox ~ I SO understand your frustration. The first step must be to not purchase dogs from a pet store or auction. I did not know that about England, will have to check it out. Thank you for your feedback and concern on this extremely important topic.
Sharyn
Hi Carol (onegreenparachute) ~ I totally agree. It is difficult to see those pups and not want to take them home. Thank you so much for stopping by and for your votes.
Sharyn
I am an animal lover! All of them...this stuff is terrible!
You know, my dog Lexi was rescued from a puppy mill and I was just thinking today that we don't know how old she is. In fact, they didn't even really give her a name. When we got her she had had countless litters and had no life other than that. We have made it our happy mission to spoil her and make up for the time that she lost. :)
Hi Kel,
It really is terrible. The more people are aware, more and more puppy mills will be closed down. Thanks for stopping by.
Sharyn
Hi Sinea ~ wow, I love your story. Not that Lexi was in a puppy mill but that you rescued her to give her a better life. It's so sad but true that the dogs in the puppy mills are not given names. And the fact that they are forced to breed quickly one after the other is really disgusting. I look forward to a day when these mills do not exist. Thank you for being part of the important rescue of these precious animals.
Sharyn
They are trying to really come down on people who run puppy mills in MO. It is so sad. The people usually go to jail for mistreating animals. When you see the places, I am sure they mistreat their kids too.
Great information! Votes and shared!
Hi Susan ~ there is a huge effort here in Ohio as well. Recently, a proposed bill went to the legislature but after waiting and waiting, they did not approve it. Now there will be a huge push to get it on the November ballot. The bill specifically will not allow dog auctions anywhere in Ohio nor can anyone come in to the state to auction dogs. The hope is that without dog auctions, the puppy mills will get shut down. And I agree with you, I could only imagine what goes on behind the families closed doors. Although, these people truly believe the dogs are for business profit only. So sad. Thanks for stopping by and sharing too!
Sharyn
Hyphenbird Level 8 Commenter 14 months ago
This is a subject that makes me heartsick. The fad for "Designer" dogs causes people to do this. A friend worked with the Humane Society here in our county and a woman brought in her dog becasue she had remodeled and it did not match her home style! There are too many homeless and wonderful animals out there in need for people to buy from puppy mills.
Bravo to you for taking on this subject!