Pet Adoption: The Dos And Cons Of Adopting A Dog From A Puppy Mill

We’ve all seen horror stories about how cruel animals can be and are treated. We promise that we will never indulge in such forms of cruelty as a form of punishment or subject our pets to such terrible living conditions. On a larger scale, puppy mills are notorious for mistreating animals. Animal organizations are fighting puppy mills and warning people not to continue funding the industry. But, since you can’t blame the animals, is it ever okay to adopt from a mill?

Recently, a large puppy mill was raided in Tennessee. Nearly 700 puppies were rescued by the SPCA, with those in good health being sent to animal shelters for adoption. People lined up outside the shelters to offer the pups a loving home. This raid was the largest ever in Tennessee and has enlightened many people to the true conditions of a puppy mill.

So what is the difference between a breeder and a mill? In general, breeders are proud of their animals. They raise the animals with health and temperament in mind, and they are not separated from the mother too soon. They allow bitches an adequate amount of time between litters. The dogs are purebred and live in favorable conditions. If you’ve ever tried to buy a dog directly from a breeder, then you know how difficult that can be. Often a breeder will not give an animal to just anyone who wants it. A mill, on the other hand, breeds dogs for money. Living conditions are so poor (multiple animals confined to a small area, little to no grooming, and little food) that the animals often develop health problems early on. Bitches are often forced to breed each heat cycle, affecting the health of the dam and litter. Young cubs have wings too early. While the dogs may appear to be purebred, the paperwork is often forged.

When an animal organization stresses the importance of not funding the industry, then you may wonder who exactly is funding it all. If you’ve ever purchased a puppy from a pet store or backyard breeder, you may have contributed. In the past, pet retailers were known to purchase their puppies from factories. Puppies are cheaper and the mill claims pedigree. Now fewer stores buy from the mills, but sometimes the mill pups run away. Often the factory staff disguise themselves as reputable breeders and offer purebred puppies with pedigree information. The stores then buy the puppies (bringing in money to the puppy mill) and you, in turn, buy the puppy from the store. Due to sales, the store continues to buy from the “breeder”.

Many people go directly to the store when they want a purebred puppy, believing that the store can prove the pedigree. In reality, factories often falsify the information. If you are looking for a purebred puppy, go directly to a breeder. Pay attention to conditions at the breeder’s facility. There is a big difference between a reputable breeder and a backyard one. Backyard breeders show poor living conditions; they are very similar to small scale mills. A true breeder will show love and care for animals. They may be watching how you interact with the pup and ask you a lot of questions about the pup’s possible living conditions. If the breeder feels that you are not a good match and you leave without a puppy, don’t feel bad. Perhaps a different breed of dog would fit your lifestyle better.

If you’re not looking for a thoroughbred, check out your local animal shelters. There, you can find dogs that were rescued from a mill or similar living conditions. You can also find breed-specific shelters that offer purebred puppies. Adopting from an animal shelter means one less dog will be put down.

So is it ever okay to get a puppy from a mill? The answer is no, unless the mill dog ends up in a shelter. Adopting a rescue dog is much different than buying the dog (directly or indirectly) from a mill. No, it’s not the dog’s fault, but his money will only ensure that the mill continues to practice mistreatment. Search for breeders in your area and schedule visits. You can also visit your local animal shelter to find a dog that’s right for you.