What is a puppy mill?

In case this is your first experience with a puppy mill, we will define it for you. It is a place where profits far succeed the concern for the animals. Generally, puppy mill, or puppy farms, breed large quantities of dogs for the resale to pet stores or unsuspected buyers. The living conditions for the puppies and the adult dogs, if kept onsite, are more than horrid. It is generally dirty, they are commonly underfed, and never have adequate health care. Quite commonly, these dogs, are simply piled on top of one another in a kennel too small, and only taken out when a prospective buyer is interested in that breed.

Unfortunately, these dogs are bred at such rapid rates that it is cheaper for the puppy mill to neglect these animals and even let them die, then it is to ensure their health. It would eat into the profits too much (in their sick opinion) if they were to purchase more kennels, or extra food. Puppy mills are not looking to hold the dog past the time when they can be sold legally, and for some even before that. If a puppy doesn't sell, it is often believed in this industry that the dog becomes a liability and is better off dead.

The circumstances in puppy mills is a breeding ground for K-9 diseases. Many of the dogs that originate from these mills have serious medical conditions, partly due to the living conditions, but also because proper documentation is rarely checked for the parents of these animals. This, many times, leads to both parents being from the same blood line, such as brother and sister, therefore creating life long medical problems for the puppy.

If you want to know more about puppy mills, or where to report them, contact me at anders02@live.com. Before supporting a puppy mill, please consider adopting a dog from your local humane society.