Puppy Mills and Backyard Breeding
Most people have heard the phrase “puppy mill” but aren’t really sure what it means. Other people have the idea that mills are located in some far away place and that most of them are in the Midwest. The unfortunate truth is that puppy mills are becoming a pervasive problem in most states. Dr. Frank McMillan of the Best Friends Animal Society defines a puppy mill as, "any dog breeding facility that keeps so many dogs that the needs of the breeding dogs and puppies are not met sufficiently to provide a reasonably decent quality of life for all of the animals."
Puppy mills first became a part of American culture following Word War II and were introduced by the United States Department of Agriculture. In response to widespread crop failures in the Midwest, the USDA began promoting purebred puppies as a fool-proof “cash” crop. Puppy mills (many of which are licensed by the USDA) usually house dogs in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. The dogs do not receive adequate veterinary care, food, water, exercise and socialization. Breeder dogs often spend their entire lives in outdoor cages with no protection from the elements and no opportunity to walk on solid ground. Because the people who operate puppy mills don’t adhere to normal practices that would remove sick dogs from their breeding pools, mill puppies are prone to a variety of congenital and hereditary conditions which include Epilepsy, heart disease, kidney disease, hip dysplasia, diabetes, anemia, deafness, eye problems and respiratory disorders.
Because Marshall County and the surrounding areas are very rural, there are a number of dog breeding operations in place which remain out of the public eye for the most part. They can operate unseen, unheard and unregulated. On occasions when someone does learn of a breeding operation, there may be little to be done about that business even if most people would find it personally offensive. As long as the people breeding and selling dogs are not violating any provisions of the Alabama animal cruelty statute, county officials can do nothing about it. The only time conditions in a breeding operation are considered "actionable" are when dogs develop physical problem as a result of the conditions in which it is or has been kept. Proving this ordinarily requires a report from a veterinarian confirming a physical problem relating to the housing environment or an eyewitness who can testify that a dog or dogs are not receiving veterinary care in the event of illness or injury.
If you would like to see an end to puppy mills in Alabama, educate yourself and make better choices. Never buy a puppy from any person who will not allow you to see the breeding location and meet the mother dog - this includes web sites that sell pets online or ads you may find in the newspaper. Just because a web site looks professional does not mean that the puppy came from a good environment. If you buy a puppy without demanding to see the breeding location, you may be unknowingly keeping a horrific breeding operation in business and contributing to the suffering of the breeder dogs. If you have decided that a purebred dog is best for your family for some reason, remember that approximately 25-30% of shelter and rescue dogs are purebred and that there are countless rescue groups across the country which are “breed specific” which means that they only focus on one breed.
You can also be part of ending puppy mills statewide by supporting legislation which regulates this industry and which makes backyard breeding either illegal or subject to very strict standards which ensure proper animal care.
To learn more, please visit these web sites:
The Puppy Mill Project
National Mill Dog Rescue
ASPCA Puppy Mill Information
Puppy mills first became a part of American culture following Word War II and were introduced by the United States Department of Agriculture. In response to widespread crop failures in the Midwest, the USDA began promoting purebred puppies as a fool-proof “cash” crop. Puppy mills (many of which are licensed by the USDA) usually house dogs in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. The dogs do not receive adequate veterinary care, food, water, exercise and socialization. Breeder dogs often spend their entire lives in outdoor cages with no protection from the elements and no opportunity to walk on solid ground. Because the people who operate puppy mills don’t adhere to normal practices that would remove sick dogs from their breeding pools, mill puppies are prone to a variety of congenital and hereditary conditions which include Epilepsy, heart disease, kidney disease, hip dysplasia, diabetes, anemia, deafness, eye problems and respiratory disorders.
Because Marshall County and the surrounding areas are very rural, there are a number of dog breeding operations in place which remain out of the public eye for the most part. They can operate unseen, unheard and unregulated. On occasions when someone does learn of a breeding operation, there may be little to be done about that business even if most people would find it personally offensive. As long as the people breeding and selling dogs are not violating any provisions of the Alabama animal cruelty statute, county officials can do nothing about it. The only time conditions in a breeding operation are considered "actionable" are when dogs develop physical problem as a result of the conditions in which it is or has been kept. Proving this ordinarily requires a report from a veterinarian confirming a physical problem relating to the housing environment or an eyewitness who can testify that a dog or dogs are not receiving veterinary care in the event of illness or injury.
If you would like to see an end to puppy mills in Alabama, educate yourself and make better choices. Never buy a puppy from any person who will not allow you to see the breeding location and meet the mother dog - this includes web sites that sell pets online or ads you may find in the newspaper. Just because a web site looks professional does not mean that the puppy came from a good environment. If you buy a puppy without demanding to see the breeding location, you may be unknowingly keeping a horrific breeding operation in business and contributing to the suffering of the breeder dogs. If you have decided that a purebred dog is best for your family for some reason, remember that approximately 25-30% of shelter and rescue dogs are purebred and that there are countless rescue groups across the country which are “breed specific” which means that they only focus on one breed.
You can also be part of ending puppy mills statewide by supporting legislation which regulates this industry and which makes backyard breeding either illegal or subject to very strict standards which ensure proper animal care.
To learn more, please visit these web sites:
The Puppy Mill Project
National Mill Dog Rescue
ASPCA Puppy Mill Information
