Puppy Mill Awareness Is Everyday

Puppy Mill Awareness Day is this Saturday, September 17th. The organization will be holding an event in Pennsylvania this Saturday, but it doesn’t matter if you can’t attend. As they say on Awarenessday.org, “Puppy Mill Awareness isn’t one day, it’s EVERY day.” Sadly, there’s no shortage of news stories reporting puppy mill busts, and it’s always tragic. But what’s even worse than the busted puppy mills is the fact that there are numerous puppy mills out there still in operation. Some states, like Missouri and Pennsylvania are known to have numerous puppy mills, but the fact is that puppy mills are found everywhere.

What Exactly Is A Puppy Mill

Basically, the term “puppy mill” is used to describe a large-scale commercial dog breeding operation that puts profit above the health and safety of the dogs. These facilities often operate in rural areas, hiding from public view. They overbreed their dogs and keep dogs and puppies in abominable conditions. Puppy mills might try to masquerade as responsible breeding kennels, but the truth is that they are prisons for dogs. Knowing all this, one might ask how these facilities manage to stay in business.

Supply And Demand Keeps Them In Business

Ultimately, what keeps puppy mills in operation is quite simple; it’s all about supply and demand. No matter how hard legislators and citizens work to pass anti-puppy mill laws, the “bad guys” will find a way to hide. The only real way to stop puppy mills is to cut off their profits. Puppy mills often sell their pups through brokers who, in turn, sell the pups to pet stores. In recent years, puppy mill operators have decided to cut out the middleman and sell puppies through online kennels. Set up a pretty website with cute puppy portraits, and it can be easy to fool consumers. One can only imagine what is happening behind the scenes.

We Are The Ones Who Can Make A Difference

WE are the ones who can make a difference. If puppy mills can’t sell puppies, what’s the point of staying in business? Sure, changes won’t happen overnight, but if we spread the word, we can gradually make a difference. Pledge to only adopt your next dog from a legitimate shelter or rescue group. Avoid so-called “designer breeds” or hybrids. If a purebred puppy is a must for you, only purchase your dog from a responsible dog breeder with valid references. Demand to see the living quarters of the puppies and the mother dog (father, too if possible). Advise others to do the same.

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