Undercover at a Puppy Mill, part 3

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The Well-Tempered Pet, Madison Pet Gazette, April 1998

By Sharon Savage, M.S.

In last month's installment, I described the poor quality, in terms of conforming to breed standards, of the dogs we saw during our undercover visit to a puppy mill.

This might not seem to be such a serious problem. Most puppy buyers aren't interested in entering their pet at dog shows. So why should it matter if your puppy grows up to be fifty percent too tall and have the wrong type of ears?

The first answer is that many people truly don't have a preference regarding the size or shape of their pet dog. But in that case, why pay premium prices for a puppy mill purebred? The Dane County Humane Society has terrific pure- and mixed-breed dogs available at nominal cost.

The second answer is that people who are looking for a purebred usually have specific goals in mind. They may need an adult dog that weighs under 20 pounds so it can stay in their apartment legally. Maybe they like a particular personality trait, or need a dog that will not shed. These people would be disappointed to find that their adult dog had grown up to be nothing like they imagined.

In Part One of this series, I mentioned some of the warning signs that you may see on the premises of a puppy mill. For instance, puppy mills typically have large quantities and multiple breeds of puppies for sale. Puppy mill pups are usually separated from their mothers and raised in small cages without access to "potty areas" or human social contact. A puppy mill breeder usually owns both the parents, and may breed the dogs at too young an age. Finally, puppy mill dogs may be registered with disreputable, "mail-order" organizations.

This final installment of our special puppy mill series will mention some additional warning signs you may spot at a mill.

Where are the papers from?

Check the registration papers for the puppy's state of origin. Although some respected breeders live there too, be cautious of puppies bred in Kansas, Iowa or Missouri. These states have huge puppy mill industries that ship puppies to local middlemen.

Has the advertised genetic testing really been done?

For example, if the parents are advertised as having "good hips," the breeder should show you the documentation from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) or from a veterinarian. Upon questioning, I've found many breeders advertising "OFA parents" who did not even know a hip x-ray was required to receive an OFA rating!

Are males and females different prices?

Puppy mill operators use this tactic to insinuate that female pups are more valuable because you can breed them and "earn your money back." Breeding purebred animals is an intensive life pursuit, in terms of time, energy, and money. It is simply dishonest to suggest it as a source of some easy pocket change. Any ethical breeder would insist you neuter or spay your non-show quality pet--which no one would pay you big bucks to breed with, anyway.

Does the facility claim to be a shelter as well?

Be aware that many puppy mills claim to be "no-kill animal shelters" in an attempt to sell used-up breeding stock to kindhearted people. If you want to save a life without lining anybody's pockets, adopt a dog from the Dane County Humane Society or from a recognized purebred rescue club. The only way to shut down puppy mills for good is to stop buying there!