Puppy mill
Puppy mills, sometimes known as puppy farms[1], are large-scale dog breeding facilities that operate under substandard breeding conditions,[2][3] causing the development of chronic health problems, temperament issues, and hereditary defects in puppies that come from the mills.[2] The high numbers of euthanized animals (4 million dogs per year in U.S.) has led animal welfare advocates to oppose the mass breeding of pet animals, a view that the profitable breeding industry opposes.
The term can be applied to operations involving other animals irresponsibly bred for profit, e.g. "kitty mills."[4] Animals that have been produced in mills are most commonly sold at pet stores to consumers who are unaware of particular risks and issues.[5]
Irresponsible breeding on a smaller scale is referred to as backyard breeding.[4]
Differences in breeding conditions
Responsible breeders raise their animals with the intent to produce a healthy dog, and to provide a quality pet for responsible owners.[6] Good breeders will take into consideration breed-specific health problems, genetic screening, physical condition, age of the dog and temperament before producing litters. Good breeders carefully nurture the mothers and the puppies they produce. They constantly check the puppies' health, and ensure they are properly socialized.[7]
In contrast, dogs bred in puppy mills are usually kept in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. They usually do not receive adequate food, water or veterinary care. Both breeding dogs and their puppies tend to be housed in extremely cramped conditions, often exposed to the elements. Females are sometimes forced to breed every time they are in heat to increase profits, resulting in gradually decreasing sizes of litters.[2][8] As puppies, mill dogs are weaned from their mothers well before the eight to ten weeks recommended.[9] Dogs in puppy mills are often bred indiscriminately. While the puppies produced may come with pedigrees, the pedigree itself is neither an indication of quality nor authenticity.[5]
Effects
Due to the poor breeding conditions in puppy mills, puppies bred there tend to have issues. Puppies raised in a cramped environment shared by many other dogs become poorly socialized to other dogs and to humans. Dogs are then transported over long distances in poor conditions, sometimes resulting in the deaths of many dogs. As the surviving mill dogs grow older, they are more prone to developing respiratory ailments and pneumonia, as well as hereditary defects such as hip dysplasia.[2] In addition, mill dogs are more prone to have problems with their temperament. Puppies from mills are usually sold as purebred dogs in an attempt to fetch the higher prices associated with purebreds. However, due to the indiscriminate breeding practices of puppy mills, the dog may or may not actually be a purebred puppy.[5]
The vast majority of puppy mill animals are sold to pet stores by "dealers". Some puppies are sold by dealers masquerading as authentic breeders. Reputable breeders never sell puppies to dealers or pet stores.[5][9] Local animal shelters are a reliable source for puppies that do not benefit puppy mill operators. Another recommended source for puppies are breed-specific rescue organizations.[2] By contrast, some breeders registered with the Royal New South Wales Canine Council (AU) do provide animals for sale through pet shops. Keith Irwin, President of the Royal NSW Canine Council, indicated that only breeders accredited by PIAA (Pet Industry Association of Australia) may sell to pet stores.[10]
History
According to Canis Major publications, puppy mills originated in the post-World War II era. Midwestern farmers looking for an alternative crop reacted to a growing demand for puppies, resulting in the development of the first commercial puppy business. As the business grew, both small and large retail outlets began to sell puppies through pet departments. At around the same time, the first pet store chains were born.[11]
Through indifference or ignorance, many puppies were left unsocialized or exposed in existing chicken coops or rabbit hutches. In addition, veterinary care for these puppies was often overlooked because of an inability to pay. As a result, organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States began to investigate breeding kennels, leading to the passage of the Animal Welfare Act of August 24, 1966.[11][12]
According to the Humane Society of the United States, thousands of puppy mills are located around the country.[13] A high concentration of both puppy mills and breeders has been reported to be in the states of Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri.[14]
Controversy
The term "puppy mill" has been widely used by animal rights groups in protests against smaller breeders who may appear to have substandard breeding conditions. Such breeders, occasionally labeled hobby breeders, are often cited by animal rights groups as puppy mills. Hobby breeders claim that emotional rhetoric, sensationalism, and pictures of dirty kennels are used to justify additional legislation or additional restrictive licensing that travels well beyond the initial goal of removing dogs from truly deplorable conditions.[11]
Some hobby breeders argue that many attempts to legislate puppy mills would put them out of business. Many hobby breeders argue the laws, which often require extra paperwork and inspections, would be more of a nuisance than help in shutting down puppy mills. Such breeders often cite existing lemon laws for puppies as sufficient protection for both dogs and prospective buyers.[14]
Commercial kennels may be licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture which may inspect the kennels routinely.[15]
Media coverage
On May 29, 2008, MSNBC aired a report about puppy mills, in which Oprah Winfrey revealed an industry fraught with problems and apparent cruelty. The broadcast showed puppy mills with small cages, with chicken wire floors, stacked in rows from floor to ceiling, and stated that many dogs spend their entire lives within these tiny cages. Many of these dogs are sold on the internet or by pet retailers to buyers who are unaware of the dogs' background. The report claimed that customers who object to this treatment of puppies unknowingly allow the industry to thrive. It also pointed out that many of the puppy mill bred dogs suffer long-term health problems.[16][dead link]
Legislative response
United States, Federal
In the United States, some elements of the dog breeding industry are regulated by the Animal Welfare Act of August 24, 1966.[17]
Australia
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore has responded to the problem of puppy mills in Australia by proposing the Animals Regulation of Sale Bill.[18] It would ban the sale of dogs through pet shops, the internet or newspapers. The aim is to crack down on impulse purchases and shut down unregistered backyard breeders. These breeders should no longer easily profit from the sale of the dogs, and the number of unwanted and abandoned animals could drop.[19]
Opposition to the bill comes from the Australian Veterinary Association and the Pet Industry Association. They say that the bill makes no difference to shelter admissions or euthanasia rates.[20]
Some claim that the bill will only serve to push unregistered breeders further underground.[20]
In New South Wales alone, more than 60,000 animals are put down each year.[19] Australia-wide the number is over a quarter of a million.[21]
References
- ^ Farr Introduces Bill to Regulate Puppy Farms
- ^ a b c d e ASPCA (2007). "Fight Animal Cruelty: Puppy Mills". Retrieved 2007-12-13.
- ^ Swartz, Tracy (2007-11-19). "Buy or adopt? Where you get your pet is a big decision -- and a big controversy". Chicago Tribune RedEye Edition.
- ^ a b ASPCA (2007). "ASPCA: Fight Animal Cruelty: Cruelty Glossary". Retrieved 2007-12-13.
- ^ a b c d The Kennel Club (UK) (2006-05-16). "Where NOT to buy a puppy or a dog". Retrieved 2007-12-14.
- ^ American Kennel Club (2007). "Step Two - Breed to Improve". Retrieved 2007-12-13.
- ^ Westminster Kennel Club (2007). "Buy Dogs from a Breeder". Retrieved 2007-12-13.
- ^ City of Boston (2007). "Are you ready to adopt a pet?". Retrieved 2007-12-13.
- ^ a b ASPCA (2007). pagename=cruelty_puppymills_statement "Puppy Mills: Responsible Breeding". Retrieved 2007-12-14.
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ Say No to Backyard Breeders
- ^ a b c Canis Major Publications (2007). "Just what is a puppy mill?". Retrieved 2007-12-14.
- ^ United State Department of Agriculture (2003-08-21). "Animal Welfare Act". Retrieved 2007-12-26.
- ^ Humane Society of the United States (2007-07-17). "FAQs". Retrieved 2007-12-26.
- ^ a b Hamilton, Anita (2005-12-12). "Curbing the Puppy Trade: Dog lovers are divided over new efforts to ensure that all breeders treat their pooches humanely". Time.
- ^ [http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_welfare/content/printable_version/faq_animal_dealers.pdf Questions and Answers on Animal Care’s Regulation of Commercial Animal Dealers]
- ^ http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24880312/
- ^ Animal Welfare Information Center - United States Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service - National Agricultural Library (2003-08-21). "Animal Welfare Act and Regulations". Retrieved 2008-01-03.
- ^ About the Bill | Lead The Way | Support the Animals (Regulation of Sale) Bill | Animal Welfare | Against Puppy Farms
- ^ a b Clover Moore | Lead The Way | Support the Animals (Regulation of Sale) Bill | Animal Welfare | Against Puppy Farms
- ^ a b 'Puppy mills' under fire for cruelty
- ^ Death Row Pets
External links
- http://www.saynotobackyardbreeders.com -- Educating the public to buy from registered breeders (AU) or PIAA member pet shops
- http://www.tulsaworld.com/webextra/content/2007/puppymillsite/Puppy_Mill_Laws_by_state.pdf
- http://www.aspca.org/puppymills
- http://www.thekodyfoundation.org
- http://www.petshoppuppies.com/ Pet Shop Puppies -- Request a free USDA inquiry on any puppy you may have purchased from a pet store.
- Stop Puppy Mills - Humane Society of the United States
- Puppymill Awareness Day
- Companion Animal Protection Society -- The only national nonprofit dedicated exclusively to protecting companion animals
- Prisoners of Greed
- No Puppy Mills -- Dedicated to educating the public about the commercial dog industry in America
- Understanding cage size -- A series of illustrations showing how to measure and calculate the primary enclosure size in commercial kennels.
- North Penn Puppy Mill Watch -- Covers PA puppy mill activity and critical pending state-wide legislation
- PetStoreAbuse.com -- Information on the pet trade and commercial breeders.
- NJ Consumers Against Pet Shop Abuse -- Information about puppy lemon laws and puppy mills.
- Clover Moore's Bill -- Covers the contents of the Bill and how it will stop petshops, newspapers and internet sales of animals