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?
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:
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.
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
Great post. Those puppy mills make us throw up
Benny & Lily
These heart-breaking facts are unknown to so many people. Your post is a true public service that can move people to action.
:)
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.
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...
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.
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
We wish there was no such thing as puppy mills!
Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch
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
Puppy Mills is BAD!
Woofs and Licks,
Maggie Mae
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
puppy mills are horrible places. they make us sad. we want them to go away.
woofs.
Excellent post. Paws crossed the laws change in your state and everywhere.
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
Amen!
EXCELLENT POST!!
Woofs and Kisses!
The Fiesty Three
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
Wonderful post. I wish I lived in Missouri so I could vote!
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
We have an award for you guys! Stop by our blog when you get a chance.
Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch
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.
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?
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