Puppy Mills & Overpopulation: The Critical Link

Consider these facts:

1. 6 to 8 million dogs and cats enter US shelters each year
   
2. 3.7 million animals were euthanized in US shelters in 2008 (approximately 10,000 animals per day).
   
3. 2 to 4 million dogs are produced each year by Puppy Mills in the United States.
   

In a high-production year, puppy mills add more dogs to the US "supply" than the total number of animals euthanized in 2008. While spay/neuter is a necessary step to prevent overpopulation over time, prohibiting puppy mills would immediately and significantly reduce the canine population by a number equivalent to the "excess" homeless dogs in this country.

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.

Shelters vs. Breeders – Divisive Tactics Threaten the Animal Community

With animal shelter populations on the rise and corresponding euthanasia rates at outrageously high levels, the animal community has reacted with a strong sense of urgency to promote animal adoptions over the purchasing of animals from pet stores and breeders. While most have done this in a responsible manner by educating the public about shelter dogs, working to find the right match between dog and family, and creating a sense of pride in having an "American Shelter Dog", I have been disappointed to see a few organizations take the more aggressive and less effective approach of condemning all breeders and the dog parents who purchase from them. These few, yet influential, organizations have managed to place responsible and caring dog breeders (and the people who buy from them) in the same category as inhumane breeders and puppy mills. This assertion is irresponsible, inaccurate, and entirely ineffective.

While I completely support and encourage the adoption of dogs and other animals from shelters, and have vowed that my family's next dog (and likely every dog thereafter) will be a rescue dog, I also fully support responsible dog breeders and the caring pet parents who buy from them. Responsible dog breeders play an important role in maintaining the lineage of pure bred dogs. Many of them are extremely knowledgeable about the history of the dogs, their specific medical and social needs, and their personalities. Often times, these breeders play an instrumental role in educating dog trainers, other dog professionals, and the public about what the breed needs, how it behaves, and what living situation it best adapts to. Understanding a breed can be an important part of relating to a dog and finding the appropriate family, lifestyle, and training to fit them, in order to maintain a happy, healthy, and well-balanced dog (a la Cesar Millan).

Responsible dog breeders should be welcomed members of the animal community. Lumping them in with puppy mills and other breeders who keep their animals in unsanitary, confined, and otherwise inhumane conditions is not only inappropriate, it is also poor strategy that serves to ostracize the majority of the dog advocate community. According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA) 2007-2008 National Pet Owners Survey, only 10% of owned dogs in America are adopted from shelters. While this is a terrific argument for increasing dog adoptions from shelters, it is also a reminder that 90% of dogs with homes belong to parents who bought them from a breeder. Thus, any strategy that is based on condemning all breeders and those pet parents who buy from them is at the very least unsound, and at most, a strategy to lose the parents of 90% of America's owned dogs as allies in the fight for animal welfare.

I have been truly inspired in recent years by the remarkable collaboration of shelters, sanctuaries, organizations, individuals, and adoptive families to aid in the rescue of dogs and other animals from the atrocities of animal cruelty and neglect. Multi-state busts of dog fighting rings and puppy mill operations, and the publicity they have gained, is impressive and a sign that this is a pivotal time in the fight for animal welfare. Although it is just the beginning, we have been able to make an unprecedented impact in the lives of animals, and we must stand unified in this effort. As a community, we must remain focused on our goals rather than distract ourselves with divisive tactics that fail to target the real issues. We must remember that the animal welfare and animal rights movements are founded on one basic principal – the love and protection of animals. Regardless of whether the animal in your life was purchased from a breeder or adopted from a shelter, it is the love and responsibility for that animal that is the foundation of our community and should be supported without question, disparity, or judgment. These are the values upon which K9 PAC was founded; we welcome all dog and animal advocates and strive to unite our community into one, significant, and unwavering voice that will be a powerful influence in the political system.