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Puppies for sale in pet shops and in front of grocery stores, in newspaper ads or on the internet are most likely from puppy mills or "backyard breeders" wanting to make a few dollars at your and the animal's expense.
A puppy mill is a substandard breeding facility for dogs. These dogs are kept in the same small wire cage their entire lives, and many never touch foot on grass or solid ground.
A female is bred on her first heat cycle and bred constantly after until she can no longer reproduce, at which point she is killed by being shot, drowned, hit in the head with a heavy object, or starved to death.
These facilities rarely have heat or air conditioning so dogs freeze to death in the winter or die of heat stroke in the summer. Puppies can literally cook to death on the hot wire cage floor.
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Ohio Puppy Mill
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Frequently, cages are stacked so
the puppies and dogs below are urinated and defecated on by the dogs
above. That is, if the cage floor has not yet solidified with
waste from years of not being cleaned.
Puppies are taken from their mothers
at too young an age only to be crammed into a semi and shipped to pet stores
across the country. Though pet stores typically cannot sell puppies
until they are 8 weeks old, this does not mean they are this old when
their long journey on the road begins.
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These mills are damaging the image of good traditional
dog breeders where dogs are well cared for, healthy, properly socialized,
and raised in the home as the family pets they are meant to be.
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To find a responsible breeder, be sure to visit the home from which your
puppy is coming from. If a breeder offers to ship the puppy to you,
likely it is a puppy mill. If the breeder is not critiquing YOU,
walk away. Likely, this breeder is only in it for the money and
you may end up with a very sick puppy.
Responsible breeders ask potential buyers to sign a contract, agreeing
that they must bring the dog back at any time they find they can no longer
keep it.
Once you visit the home your puppy is coming from, be sure to ask to
see the parents and littermates of the puppy. Look at their living
situation and their sociability. Take a good look around the property
and listen carefully. Sometimes hundreds of dogs are tucked away
in a barn, hidden from potential buyers. |
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Did you know that 25% of the dogs brought into shelters are purebred? Be sure to check out your local shelter. You may be surprised
at the gems you find!
Did you know that for every human born there are 45 dogs and cats born?
Or that only 1 out of 10 puppies born get a home? Only 1 out of 8 kittens
born get a home? Did you also know that 800 dogs and cats are put to sleep
every HOUR?
By adopting from a rescue or shelter, you truly are saving a life.
Don't forget to check out petfinder.com to
find the exact breed you are looking for!
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As tempting as it
is to buy that cute puppy in the window, knowing his past has probably
been one of pure misery, you are not doing a good deed by purchasing
him. Even
your one purchase is supporting the puppy mill industry by creating
demand.
When you buy a puppy (or anything else) from a pet store that sells puppies, you will only be consigning its parents--and
future generations--to more misery, abuse, and despair in the puppy
mills. (Remember: Pet store puppy buyers are the sole reason puppy mills
exist.)
Purchasing that one puppy may also
end up being the most expensive purchase you'll make. Many puppies
purchased from pet stores become sick shortly after being taken home. It
is then that the many, many ailments this puppy is suffering from such
a hard beginning become clear.
Many people in Ohio do not realize
that we are one of the top ranking states in the number of puppy mills. Until
we can educate the public about the reality of where dogs in pet stores,
on the internet, and in newspaper ads come from, the problem will continue. |
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- The most important thing you can do to help stop puppy mills is to never purchase a puppy from a pet store or irresponsible breeder.
- Click here for digital copies of posters or information to hang in your
neighborhood at places such as veterinary offices, pet supply stores, grocery stores, dog
parks, etc.
- Join us on our protests. The more people that join us the more our voice will be heard.
- Volunteer! By joining our family of volunteers, you will be making a huge difference to so many lives. Click here for more information.
- Send a donation. Unfortunately,
producing educational pieces, advertising, and rescuing puppy mill
puppies is not cheap. Your donation is greatly appreciated. Click here for more information.
- Contact your State Representdive and Senator and ask them to support
legislation enforcing stricter rules pertaining to the treatment of these dogs. Tell them
how important this is for the current and future well being of thousands and
thousands of dogs and puppies.
- If you have information involving a possible crime involving puppy mills or have insider knowledge of a puppy mill, please click here for more information: HSUS Launche s First National ‘Puppy Mill’ Tip Line or call 1-877-MILL-TIP.
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Unfortunately, laws in Ohio are very loose when it comes to the humane treatment of
animals. You can help by contacting your State Representative and Senator and
asking them help in our fight against puppy mills.
To find your Rate Rep and Senator go to
http://www.legislature.state.oh.us and http://www.senate.state.oh.us/senators
For regular updates on the proposed "Puppy Mill Bill", please visit: http://columbusdogconnection.com/PuppyMillBill2.htm
Finding a Responsible Breeder: The RIGHT Way to Bring a Dog into Your Life
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