I’d like to help educate your readers about cruel puppy mills that are throughout the State of Missouri and how they can avoid supporting them. It’s the holiday season and many folks plan to buy a cute, cuddly puppy as a holiday gift. However, buyers beware!
Puppy mills are breeding facilities that produce purebred puppies in large numbers and sell them to unsuspecting consumers. They are inhumane (wire cages, left out in the freezing cold/no heat, no space). Because of these conditions, these puppies are more likely to have physical and behavioral problems than dogs from good sources.
Puppy mills lurk behind beautiful web sites, newspaper ads and behind the doors of some pet stores. The best way to stop puppy mill abuse is to stop buying puppies they breed. Many think it’s “rescuing” a puppy by buying one from a pet store —don’t be fooled; you may just be creating space for another puppy to be sold.
The best place to get your next pet is the local animal shelter. Many are purebreds, most have been spayed or neutered, and have received all their vaccinations and checkups. A purebred rescue group such as petfinder is another excellent resource as well as pets911.
If you are planning to buy a puppy as a holiday gift, please do so by rescuing one from a shelter or pet adoption center – don’t support puppy mills. What better gift to give yourself AND the puppy!?
Mary Cardin
Murrysville, PA
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