Puppy mills are large scale operations that force “breeder dogs” to produce litter after litter to support consumer demand for purebred pets
These puppies are sold in pet stores or over the Internet, store fronts that mask the suffering, disease, malnutrition, and loneliness of puppy mills. Even the puppies themselves are prone to a variety of illnesses. Some die within days or weeks of purchase
Most people are unaware that when they buy a purebred puppy they are often supporting a cruel and inhumane industry
By choosing not to buy your next pet or any pet supplies from retail stores or Internet sites that sell dogs or cats, you are directly helping to end this cycle of cruelty
If you are thinking about getting a puppy always avoid buying from pet stores or over the internet always buy from a reputable breeder and ask to see the parents of the puppies or better still instead of buying a puppy you could always adopt one! Every year in the UK thousands of abandoned dogs and puppies find themselves in animals shelters desperate to find a new forever home. If you do not have the time to train a very young puppy it would be worth considering adopting an older dog
25th March 2012: Update
As many as one in three dog owners could be buying their pet from puppy farmers, the Kennel Club has warned. Research by the organisation found that of more than 1,000 owners of pedigree, pure bred, cross breed and mixed breed dogs, 14% bought their puppy from a pet shop, 7% used the internet and 16% responded to a local paper advert
The Kennel Club is warning that all three outlets can be used by puppy farmers, who breed too many litters from female dogs that are kept in bad conditions and whose offspring are likely to suffer ill health and behavioural problems
It is launching a new "stop puppy farming" campaign urging people to spot the signs of an irresponsible breeder, report suspected puppy farmers and to opt for the Kennel Club's assured breeders scheme or a rescue dog
According to the club, puppy farmers commonly sell puppies over the internet or through pet shops so that buyers cannot see the cruel conditions the dogs are reared in. It wants to see tougher rules to clamp down on puppy farming, with all breeders forced to follow the standards it sets for its Kennel Club Assured Breeders Scheme, which include a safe, clean environment, health tests for parent dogs and providing a contract of sale
And it is calling on prospective buyers to make sure they see the puppy in it's breeding environment with it's mother and not to buy a dog if they have any concerns, even if they want to "rescue it" as it gives the breeders money. Buyers should check what health tests and certificates there should be from the parent dogs, even if they are buying a cross breed, and ideally the puppy should be micro-chipped
Marc Abraham, Kennel Club veterinary advisor, said, "There is now an alarming trend which is seeing breeders view dogs as just commodities without any regard for their rights as living creatures. People wouldn't buy a car from a dodgy dealer, offering no MOT or service documents, but sadly people don't ask for similar assurances from a dog breeder"
The Kennel Club is launching a film as part of it's campaign to stop puppy farming which can be viewed at : www.thekennelclub.org.uk/stoppuppyfarming
