AnimalBeat.org Student Essay: What are puppy mills and what can you do about them?
by Ben Herken
In the wake of the Second World War displaced Midwestern farmers struggling to make a living on their crops were desperate for new sources of income. At the same time a healthy post-war economy spurred an increase in demand for pets.
For these destitute farmers the choice seemed simple: breeding animals en masse became a popular way for the struggling rural population to make ends meet. Thus the “puppy mill” was born, a brutal business, which puts money before the health and safety of the animals, which it breeds.
Puppy mill "products" Photo: Animals Voice
What is a puppy mill?
In puppy mills mother dogs are kept in cages, which are often stacked one on top of another allowing no room for movement. These poor animals and their offspring are fed only enough to keep them alive and never are allowed to exercise or go on walks. The result is litter upon litter of sickly animals.
The surviving dogs who are lucky enough to be bought from the puppy mill operators are not guaranteed a happy life even after their departure. The sicknesses gained from the horrid treatment they sustain while in the mills will follow them to their new home and cause sometimes life-threatening diseases.
Illness is not the only evil inflicted upon these animals. It is common for dogs released from the mills to be so traumatized by their experiences that they are unable to interact with, or are hostile to, other dogs and humans.
Law tries to curb the industry
Since puppy mills began, there has been an outcry (much deserved) against this practice and significant steps taken to curb their existence. Perhaps the most important of these steps has been the Animal Welfare Act of 1966.
Among other things this historic act prevented breeders from owning large numbers of female dogs, which aimed to stop large-scale breeding operations from getting out of control. It’s the job of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to assure that all breeders follow the rules set up by this historic and long-standing act.
However, the job has proven to be more difficult than originally imagined. Even with the efforts of the USDA, stopping the rise of puppy mills is tough. Mill operators, working in hidden or removed areas rarely are inspected and are less likely to have concerned neighbors pick up on unusual activity.
How to stop puppy mills?
The only way to stop puppy mills is by reducing demand for the pets they produce. This means instead of buying an animal from a breeder or pet shop you should adopt a companion from a local animal shelter.
This serves two purposes: first you’ll be reducing demand and therefore helping drain the mills of profits, and second you’ll be providing a home to an animal in need.
Although many families looking to adopt may be wooed by the promise of a pedigree or purebred dog these marketing tactics are almost always tricks used by breeders who wish to charge more for their pets.
If you or your family would like to adopt a pet and are afraid of buying from a puppy mill you can visit your local animal shelter, SPCA or rescue groups.
Ben Herken is a student at Georgiana Bruce Kirby Preparatory School (Santa Cruz).
