Thursday, October 14, 2010

Puppy Mills

Being from New York State, I was aware of the puppy mill problem in the neighboring State of Pennsylvania. I didn't realize until I had been living here for a while that Missouri is considered the Puppy Mill Capital of the Country.

This is a title that any State should be ashamed of.


I consider myself a dog breeder. I have bred two litters over a forty year period. Each puppy was cared for in the house, given love, good nutrition, veterinary care and placed in a loving home. I made myself accessible to the new owners for any help they might need and I stated that I would take back any puppy, no questions asked at any time during the dog's life. I did take back one pup from my first litter.

Puppy mill pups are born into a very different existence. We've all seen the pictures and most of us have come in contact with a dog rescued from mill life.


On November 2, voters in Missouri have the opportunity to make life a little better for mill dogs. Proposition B seeks to regulate breeders with more than 10 breeding dogs in the following ways:

Provide at least 12 square feet of climate controlled living area per dog depending on it's size

Do away with stacked cages and wire floors


Feed at least once a day and provide potable water at all times


Provide access to an outdoor exercise area


Limit the number of intact dogs to 50


Limit production of litters to two per dog per 18 months


Have each dog examined yearly by a veterinarian


Have necessary euthanasia performed by a veterinarian


How can anyone object to these regulations?

The lobbyists for the puppy mills, of course, are throwing around all sorts of threats about what awful things will happen if Proposition B is passed. Lets' think rationally about this. The millers will lose money.  Get real everyone, there is no shortage of adoptable dogs in this country. There is an overpopulation. Do we really need to churn out thousands of puppies each year while thousands of healthy dogs are being euthanized in shelters?


Why is it wrong to expect breeders to offer basic care to their breeding dogs? Don't we, the buying public, want to bring healthy, well adjusted puppies into our homes?


Support Proposition B on the November ballot. Even if you're not enthused about any of the candidates running for office, vote for the well being of the dogs. They need us.

23 comments:

Marjie said...

Thor came from a breeder who had about 4 adult dogs. There were 2 litters born within 2 days, and there were 25 mastiff puppies in the house. Yes, it was a tiny Cape Cod on a lot so small my 15 passenger van would not fit in the driveway. All the puppies were in the living room (they blocked access to the kitchen), bouncing around and happy. That's the way the mastiff breeder Patrick ran into while doing census work was, too. I wouldn't buy from any other kind of breeder.

They're cracking down on puppy mills here, too, and even on people who have absurd numbers of "pets", like the woman with 30 dogs and a pot bellied pig in absolute squalor who got tossed in the slammer last year.

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

Well said. Why would there have to be legislation just to get the dogs fed 'at least once a day' and have water!

When it comes to $ people are blind.

XXXOOo Daisy, Kendra & Bella

Two French Bulldogs said...

Great post. Those puppy mills make us throw up
Benny & Lily

Pooch said...

These heart-breaking facts are unknown to so many people. Your post is a true public service that can move people to action.
:)

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Great post. Did you see about the auction of puppy mill dogs that will take place at the end of the month in Mexico, MO - there are over 800 dogs to be auctioned. Wish I could take a couple of them.

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

For several years I was involved with a group that did puppy mill rescue in Oklahoma and Missouri. People would go to the dog auctions (which usually take place at a mill) posing as puppy-millers and buy the dogs and turn them over to rescue. I know there are those who seriously object to putting money in the miller's pockets, but when you see these dogs, and know how they were treated, you can't turn your back on them. How I wish the mills would all be shut down...

Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek Ramblings said...

I think puppy mills should be outlawed - there are only a certain amount of dogs that a person can own and still give them the attention and love they need. People need to quit buying that cute pet store puppy - that would close a lot of them down.

gMarie said...

12 square feet of space per dog! Seriously?

We bought Beau & Lucy from a back-yard breeder who was no better than a puppy mill. The mom had 3 litters in 4 heat cycles. They still had 2 pups from the previous litter who were 7 months old when these guys were 8 weeks. That poor momma.

Your post brought tears to my eyes. And if it isn't approved - well I don't have words. . . .

g

Molly the Airedale said...

We wish there was no such thing as puppy mills!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Lola and also Franklin, too said...

We read about Proposition B. Not being in Missouri we can't vote for it, but all my humans certainly would if they could. It's hard to believe that any politicians at all would have the nerve to come out against puppies, but some have. That's really amazing. And low.

lotsa licks, Lola

Maggie Mae and Max said...

Puppy Mills is BAD!

Woofs and Licks,
Maggie Mae

Taffy said...

Excellent post! Being a Missourian I am planning to vote next month. I just can't understand how people can think it is ok to treat dogs like that. It just breaks my heart.
Snuggles,
Twix

the many Bs said...

puppy mills are horrible places. they make us sad. we want them to go away.

woofs.

SissySees said...

Excellent post. Paws crossed the laws change in your state and everywhere.

♥I am Holly♥ said...

Great post! We hate puppy mills. The thought of what they do to these dogs is so horrible. Shut them all down!! Lots of love, Holly and mom

Nicki said...

Amen!

Cheryl, Indiana, Shingo and Molly said...

EXCELLENT POST!!

Woofs and Kisses!
The Fiesty Three

Zona said...

Great post! Though you asked who would object to those requirements... umm one tweak... feeding once a day? Let's make that number higher. I know I loves to eat! Seriously, thanks for posting this. So sad.

Wags,
Zona

Dianne said...

Wonderful post. I wish I lived in Missouri so I could vote!

FANCY the Red Standard Poodle said...

Hoppin' by to say Hi! There should be a Federal Law against puppy mills and it should be enforced and the humans should have to serve Federal time!
Y'all come by now!
Hawk aka BrownDog

Molly the Airedale said...

We have an award for you guys! Stop by our blog when you get a chance.

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

georgie and gordy said...

Gordy came puppy mill. He was "#18according to the tag that came with him from the rescue organization. Georgie was adopted from what I now suspect was a backyard breeder. Her mama had another litter 8months after Georgie's. Georgie was diagnosed with Addisons and the breeder notified. She was totally disinterested and would not give me the name of the owner of the sire. We aren't in Missouri but puppy mills/backyard breeders seem to be in every state/town.

parlance said...

I read the comment by Geordie and Georgie saying puppy mills are in every state and town. Welll, unfortunately they are in every country. We have them all over the place in Australia.

How could anyone vote against this law?