A Veterinarian Perspective

When describing in more detail on the medical malpractices that go on in puppy mills, it’s always a good idea to consider a professional’s observations and opinions. Considering doctors’ medical concerns on puppy mills is a great resource for those trying to better understand the inhumane care-taking rituals within this industry.

Many veterinarians have constantly worked with sick dogs rescued from puppy mills. Dr. Lisa Hindle Deppe is a veterinarian in Iowa whose ideas and experiences have been included in the Care of Animals in Commerical Enterprises Legislative Study Committee.

Dr. Deppe's work and the other outspoken veterinarians have been published in Medical Association's newsletters to help advocate the proposed Puppy Mill Bills. Following the footsteps of California, this law was successfully implemented in Iowa. We have many veterinarians to thank for this as their shared experiences provided new scientific evidence that couldn't be overlooked.

Feeding the Beast

On the front line in the fight for animal advocacy, it’s wonderful to see that recent legal efforts have been created to outlaw puppy mills. This short video from CBS News Adopting a Cause focuses on the California ban on the sale of puppy mill dogs. Main reporter, Carter Evans, presents the story and explores how this law came to be and its effect on pet stores in California. In October 2017, California was the first state requires that all pet stores to only sell rescue dogs. Animal advocate, Judie Mancus helped to pass the new law. She expressed that “the only way to shut this cruel industry is to take away the demand”. She asks, “Why on earth are we allowing this cruel industry to be feeding our state with yet more animals?”. This is an important question for people to think about and that needs to be answered. 

To me, it's rather horrifying that 2,000,000 pets sold in the U.S. come from puppy mills. Mancus reveals that California alone brings in over 800,000 dogs and cats annually into their shelters… “and we kill over half” she concludes. 

Because of the puppy mill ban, some pet store businesses that rely only on private breeders are failing because they can’t make enough money off rescue dogs alone. However, pet store owner Borris Jang stated that his business is actually growing because of this law. Although he only sells rescues, most of his income actually comes from selling additional supplies and services (grooming, toys, treats). To be honest, California is being much more respectful of all dogs by putting the needs of the dogs above money. This way the income of pet stores will no longer be centered around the sale of our furry friends. 

Lucky's Story

There are many dogs who have been victims and survivors of animal cruelty and each of these poor beings have their own stories. One of these survivors is Lucky.

Lucky is an eight-month-old poodle who was rescued from an Ohio puppy mill in February 2017 by Tanner's P.A.W.S. Before she was rescued, puppy mill breeders had planned to kill Lucky because her hip wasn't functioning properly. 

Fortunately, once Lucky was rescued, she was taken to the Colonial Veterinary Hospital in Ithaca, NY. Upon examination, doctors discovered that Lucky had a hip fracture that had been untreated.

X-ray shows Lucky hip 

Lucky with her curled paws

They also saw that Lucky had deformed feet with front paws that curl out because she had been living in a crate her entire life. She didn't even know how to act like a puppy after surviving these awful conditions. 

Surgery costs money, and luckily for Lucky, her surgery was funded by the PoundWISHES Foundation. The foundation featured her in their Weekly Wish program, which raised $1,525 for her medical care. 

Lucky after her surgery with her stitches

Doctors performed a FHO (femoral head ostectomy) and were able to repair her fracture. Her hip was stitched up, and her recovery began.

The surgery greatly benefited Lucky's health both mentally and physically. She slowly started to gain weight and to use her leg for walking. Before long Lucky was able to walk like a normal dog. She didn't even need in-office physical therapy because she had been receiving continued therapy from her foster family at home. 

Because of all the support and effort from P.A.W.S., the fund-raising of the PoundWISHES Foundation, the skilled doctors at Colonial Veterinary Hospital, and the kindness of individual donors and her new family, Lucky is now living a normal life as all dogs should. 

5 Ways to Stop Puppy Mills

Hello animal supporters, 

Puppy Mills are an ongoing practice that is an impossible challenge to end. If you already know what a puppy mill is and want to put a stop to it, here are 5 ways that you can make a difference for dogs victimized in puppy mills:

1. Adopt a dog instead of buying one from a pet store that is supplied by a puppy mill. This way you won't be assisting the cruel practice of puppy mills that are supported by the economic welfare of mass consumers. 

2. Speak out against puppy mills! Inform your family and friends about the conditions of puppy mills through social networks such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr.

3. Support programs and organizations that fight the ongoing business of puppy mills such as the Animal Welfare Institute, Animal Defense Fund and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). You can help by organizing events, making donations or volunteering for shelters and/or rescue groups.

4. Report an any signs of a puppy mill operation in your area by telling an animal law enforcement agency. Follow up if it's necessary. 

5. Write a letter to your state or federal legislators by informing them that you're concerned with the unethical treatment and breeding practices of dogs being kept in puppy mills. You can even use your position as a voter to ensure laws that make all dogs born and raised in a healthy environment. 

If you want to make a difference in saving the lives of puppy mill dogs, what action would you take?

Signs of Backyard Breeders

You know that puppy mills are a place where the owners make a living by breeding new dogs. But you may not know about backyard breeders. These breeders lack the experience or knowledge to breed dogs well and don’t take the time and effort to raise them properly. If you want to be certain that you are getting a dog from a good breeder instead of a backyard breeder, here are some red flags that indicate a backyard breeder:

• Health of the dog - Backyard breeders pay little attention to health issues because they no prior knowledge of the dogs' physical condition. That's a definite sign of a backyard breeder because a real breeder would check or test dogs for conditions that are inheritable. A good breeder will conduct thorough tests to certify that there are no genetic faults. 

• Proper age -  A backyard breeder will give a newborn puppy away that is under the age of eight weeks because they care more about collecting money than raising and training a newborn puppy properly. It is vital for a puppy (under eight weeks old) to stay with their mother to develop fundamental social skills with future owners. If a pup is given away before turning eight weeks old, it can result in longtime behavioral damage. A good responsible breeder will keep the pups longer than eight weeks until they are both ready physically and mentally to be given to their new owners. 

• Not meeting the parents - Responsible breeders would introduce the dog's parents to the new owners so they will understand their new dog’s personality, size, and how the puppy will likely grow up. If a breeder doesn't mention the dog’s family or parent's background, then this indicates that you're dealing with a backyard breeder. 

When meeting with a dog breeder you need to understand the facts before rushing in to adopt a dog. 

To be or Not to be a Caregiver

Hey Dog Lovers,

If you want to make a difference in stopping puppy mills, not having a dog yourself doesn’t mean you can’t still make a difference. You could volunteer as I have done in the past. Back in high school I had a part time internship/volunteer job at Bideawee where I socialized with dogs that had been rescued from puppy mills. During my time there I saw that previous interactions with people affected each dogs’ behavior.

Before I volunteered at Bideawee I never had a pet so I didn’t know how to care for one. I thought at Bideawee I would just get to play with the dogs, but I learned that life isn’t always fun and games. Most of the dogs were injured or had scars on their bodies. Knowing the poor conditions of a puppy mill, it was clear the people there had cared more about money than the well-being of the actual dogs. The inhumane dog-breeding that goes on in puppy mills leaves the dogs neglected, unsocialized, and often sickly.

Through my experience I learned that being a caregiver for a dog is a bigger responsibility than I had thought. I realized it was about helping the dogs gain trust in humans, which involved more work than just playing. It was important to show them that we're not all like the heartless people they were around before. When seeing a puppy mill in real life it makes me, and probably you, sick. When I have more free time, I'm going to spend it helping shut down puppy mills permanently!!!!!

ASPCA Documentary Review

Puppy Mills are exploited on the news and social media today. However when a dog is rescued, they need to go through physical and social training to enter into loving homes. The documentary film Second Chance Dogs by ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) introduces the ASPCA Behavioral Rehabilitation Center.

It is the first-ever facility that's dedicated in helping to rehabilitate canines who were victims of animal cruelty such as puppy mills animal hoarding. The ASPCA Behavioral Rehabilitation Center was created after a hoarding incident in June 2010. In Western Tennessee, there were about a hundred dogs living in a field where the local sheriff was going to shoot all of them. 

The ASPCA had to capture all the dogs and do an evaluation on their behavioral and medical conditions. When watching this documentary film, I became more informed about the conditions of how a puppy mill operates and the breeding dogs live in constant terror everyday. Puppy mills are a large scale commercial dog breeding facility, where profit is put first instead of the happiness and well-being of the dogs. 

The puppies in those mills get out into pet stores early in their lives. Their parents however, have to stay in puppy mills their entire lives to breed more puppies. They also state that Missouri has more puppy mills than any other state in America. Breeding dogs usually live in wire cages with wire flooring which injures their paws and stacked on top of each other that causes feces to reign the dogs below them. Also, mange and skin diseases are common because of these un sanitary conditions. Those are reasons why puppy mills are no paradise for dogs since breeders think more their wages instead of the health and feelings of a suffering poor dog. 

I can understand why puppy mills are in business since pet stores are in a constant need for new buyers since it provides a job for most people. However with good people trying to help rescued puppy mill dogs. Which is why the the ASPCA Behavioral Rehabilitation Center was created. To help these animals poor dogs and puppies for a full rehabilitation with training, socializing and tender care. These victimized dogs have a second chance of a better life with loving families. To be honest, if puppy mills didn't exist, animal shelters would have a better shot at getting more people adopt them and more economical.