- 6 to 8 million dogs and cats enter US shelters each year
- 3.7 million animals were euthanized in US shelters in 2008 (approximately 10,000 animals per day).
- 2 to 4 million dogs are produced each year by Puppy Mills in the United States.
What are Puppy Mills?
Puppy mills are large-scale breeding operations that often keep upwards of 50 adult dogs for the sole purpose of breeding. Such operations apply the principals of business economics to the breeding of puppies – maximize profit through low-cost and high-volume production. This amounts to limited expenses on veterinary care, shelter, food, and space, and a high volume of dogs that breed continuously (regardless of health effects).
Puppy mills primarily supply pet stores and animal dealers. Millions of families each year unknowingly purchase puppy mill dogs from pet stores or directly from the puppy mills or animal dealers who present themselves as expert family breeders online. Puppy mills across the country are continuously found in violation of the minimum requirements set forth by the Animal Welfare Act, including basic safety, sanitation, and confinement regulations.
Why do Puppy Mill dogs need protection?
The Humane Society of the United States' footage of puppy mill rescues shows the horrendous conditions that dogs are kept in for the sake of profit: http://stoppuppymills.org/. Puppy mills over-produce "purebred" dogs for profit without regard to their health or emotional well-being. These dogs are viewed as reproductive factories, often spending their entire lives in cramped cages, or in isolation from human and animal contact. Few breeding dogs ever experience a loving home environment; many times when they are no longer able to breed, dogs are simply left in their cages to die.
Responsible breeders carefully select the mother and father based on a variety of factors including optimal health and balanced temperament. However, puppy mills are focused on volume, not quality. Many of their breeding dogs have severe genetic health conditions that are inherited by the puppies. In addition, unsanitary conditions and improper or absent veterinary care make the puppies more susceptible to other health conditions like Parvovirus and Heartworms. Dogs who are rescued from puppy mills often suffer severe physical and psychological trauma as a result of abhorrent conditions and a life of seclusion. Extended periods of adjustment are often necessary as the dogs need to learn basic dog behaviors - many have never been held by a person, socialized with other dogs, walked on grass, or experienced life outside of a metal cage.
Puppy mills are a serious detriment to the dogs they breed, the families who unknowingly purchase sick puppies, and the millions of homeless dogs who are euthanized each year as a result of overcrowding in shelters. The issue of overcrowding is exacerbated by the economic downfall, which has led to a dangerous combination of more pet surrenders and less funding for the organizations that take responsibility for these animals. Many puppy mill dogs end up in our shelter system because families are unable to afford the medical bills associated with their severe health defects. Stopping puppy mills would significantly reduce the dog population, decrease euthanasia rates, provide shelter dogs with a greater chance at adoption, prevent the intentional breeding of sick puppies, and will allow breeding to remain in the hands of responsible and knowledgeable dog owners who breed family pets in a healthy, loving, home environment.
