Puppy Mill 101

Tomorrow I’m going to introduce you to my new foster brother Elvis. He came from a puppy mill so I decided to do some research on what exactly a puppy mill is so I could relatedto him since mom said he has lived a very hard life.

A puppy mill is actually a large scale commericial dog breeding business/operation. They typically have hundreds of dogs and their profit typically takes priority over the well beings of dogs. The less they can spend on each dog’s food, medical care, etc., the more money they make. Puppy mills typically supply pets stores their dogs for sale.

Since there are so many dogs in a small area with limited vet care puppy mill dogs are known to have illness, diseases and act fearful because they haven’t been around many nice humans. There is alot of inbreeding in the lines as well so these dogs are prone to congential and hereditary conditions as well.

Dogs are not treated at a puppy mill the same way your pet is in your home. The facilities are usually overcrowded (more dogs..more money). They don’t typically have adequate food, water, socialization, and vet care. They don’t know what a toy or a treat is because they never get them. They are often kept in wire cages stacked on top of each other. They may also be exposed to the elements since they are kept in unheated/un- air -conditioned buildings. So their whole life is spent walking on wire cage flooring which hurts their legs. Some of these doggies have never been outside, walked on grass, layed on a doggie bed, or even gotten a hug from a human.

The dogs are breed as often as possible with little recovery time between litters. Once a breeder dog has gotten “old” and can’t reproduce they are often killed. Most dogs don’t make it out of the puppy mills alive so that is why we are so thrilled that we have Elvis!

So come back tomorrow to meet Elvis…