Puppy mills

[Orthosdoxa]

I don't know if this has been discussed in here before, but I just wanted to point my animal loving peers to a site I just discovered today. I have always refused to buy pets at pet stores for this very reason, and encouraged others to do likewise, but it's even worse than I thought.
Please don't support any business that supports these awful mills. These animals deserve better.


LK

 

[country woman]

I agree don't buy pets from the pet store. You want a friendly, heathly happy pet. Buy or adopt from a breeder or shelter there are lots of animals that need homes that are in a shelter. when you buy from a breeder you know what you are getting sometimes you will be able to view the parents of the animals especially if you get large dogs ie Rottis. Pit bulls German shepherds.

 

[greenonion]

I agree don't buy pets from the pet store. You want a friendly, heathly happy pet. Buy or adopt from a breeder or shelter there are lots of animals that need homes that are in a shelter. when you buy from a breeder you know what you are getting sometimes you will be able to view the parents of the animals especially if you get large dogs ie Rottis. Pit bulls German shepherds.

If you want a puppy make sure you find a reputable breeder. Any yahoo can inseminate his female and call himself a breeder. These people are called "backyard breeders." They are in it for the money, or to show their kids the "miracle of birth" or for other selfish reasons. They do not have the good and welfare of the breed as top priority when breeding thier dogs. They do not test the stud and female for genetic defects. They breed indiscriminatly, with no thought to what traits (desirable and undesirable) the offspring might have. They are not trained in canine reproduction and do not have the experience to properly care for newborn pups.

A reputable breeder is one whose goal is the betterment of the breed. Here is some info on how to find a good breeder. Another way to find a good breeder is to ask your local breed fanciers club for recommendations. A good breeder will care about his reputation among the canine community and will gain respect.Here are some links about what to looks for and what to avoid in a breeder:
http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/breeder.html
http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/amateur-breeders.html
http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/justonelitter.html

I prefer getting my babies from rescues. All of my boys were either the humane society or private rescue. And they were all free.

 

[lovestrav]

Free? Or do you mean free with an adoption fee? I've never met a shelter that actually has free animals. I'm not trying to argue, just wondering...

 

[greenonion]

You're right, lovestrav. My post was misleading. Most animals from shelters/rescue have a fee or donation request attached. It is a way they can cover the cost of altering, housing and feeding the pet. Mine just happen to be free because of connections or offers to house the animal instead of fostering by the rescue.

(and actually I take it back, Mike D. Catt had a small donation attached to him. )

 

[lovestrav]

No problem, and thank you for the clarification.