Is there ANY way to stop Puppymills? ..?

Question

I remember when I was 12 I wanted a dog SO bad. I went to my local mall and saw the cutest dog, a Pekingnese pup. My mom spent 1,000 on him. His name is Gizmo. I NEVER knew about puppy mills/petstores back then. I was 12 years old. You can tell my dog came from a puppy mill; he chews the ends of blankets like hes suckling (I'm guessing from being taken away from his mom too early), hes aggressive towards everyone when he was VERY WELL socialized and just doesnt listen when he has been to obedience school. Don't get me wrong, I still love him no matter what. But I feel so bad that 6 years ago I contributed to a PuppyMiller making 1000$ more to breed another dog. So as long as you keep a dog in a cage with food/water in a shed thats OKAY? I don't get it. I really don't. And the most they get if its really bad is a slap on the wrist.

Is there ANY way to stop these Puppymills?
(I don't mean to get everyone wriled up, this is a serious question)

Yes, I know to never do that again. I just got a Dachshund pup from a good breeder who shows her dog and is AKC registered. I got to see her place and her dogs and everything. I even spent LESS on a champion blood line dog than I did with Gizmo my petstore dog!

Thanks for all your answers so far. I volunteer at a shelter so now everyone who comes in to adopt a dog I'll be sure to lecture them on why its better to adopt! I need to feel like I'm doing something to help.

Answer 1

The only way to stop puppy mills and irresponsible breeders is to educate people. If people all knew that puppy mills existed, and that irresponsible breeders generally just contribute to the already over populated shelters, they would be less likely to buy that cute puppy from the pet store. Unfortunitly there would still be people who "just don't care" who would still support these institutions.

As for making a difference yourself, there's usually not much that can be done. I don't shop at pet stores that sell puppies, and volunteer for Sheltie rescue. When I teach classes I tell anyone who wants to know about the issues with back yard breeding and pet stores selling puppies, and I encourage all of my students to spay/neuter their pets. My hope is that I can encourage other people to look for good breeders, and maybe they'll stop shopping at those pet stores too.

Forcing your beliefs on people doesn't do anything though. You've just got to hope that if you provide them with the information they'll make a good choice.

Answer 2

You are right and it is a serious problem and millions of people contribute to this puppymills and their cause. People think a full blooded dog can only be bought from a pet store or a back yard breeder or a paper. They do not take the time to check the shelters and rescues and see how many of these full blooded dogs are in these places and instead they keep going to these breeders and telling them its ok to keep breeding these animals to death. The shelters also have mixed breed dogs and puppies and they need homes as well and they need love as well. A dog does not have to cost a fortune to be a great family member. And until we can all everyone to realize this it will continue to be a problem. But that is a good question and at least you gave this dog a good home and love even if you got im from a pet store. You did not know and he is your best friend and that is all that matters now. Thank you for caring though!

Answer 3

What you can do to help stop puppy mills:
1. Do not buy puppies or kittens from a pet shop.
2. Do not buy any pet supplies from a pet store that sells puppies and kittens.
3. If a breeder you visit appears to be operating a puppy mill, report them.
4. Beware of puppy millers advertising many breeds in the local newspaper classifieds.
5. Adopt from an animal rescue centre– there are many homeless animals in need of your love.
6. If you want a purebred animal, research the breed and visit the parents and the premises where they are located. A good breeder is concerned for their animals and will often ask you more questions than you ask them. Good breeders breed only occasionally.
7.Contact your local government. Push for legislation…so that animals will have better protection from cruelty.
8. Have your pet spayed or neutered to prevent pet overpopulation.
9. Be kind to animals.

Answer 4

No the only way to stop them is to turn them in for animal cruelty but if they follow the guidelines and regulations by the state then there's nothing you can do other than not purchase a puppy from them anymore. Make sure if you get any new puppies that it's from a reputable breeder.

As for your problems with his behavior, take him to training. Like puppymills, there are some trainers out there that don't know what they are doing. Make sure you find one that doesn't train using force or anything hurtful to the dog. My puppy used to have fear agression but now that we've been going to training for the last 6 months, he has become more confident and not afraid of people (therefore he doesn't show agression towards them). If you have a good trainer, they can help you with his agression and help with his not listening.

Answer 5

Puppy mills are the primary suppliers to pet stores. This is a fact. And in a pet store, if a puppy isn't sold by a certain age, it is simply put down almost all of the time. This is the way of the economic world. Most of these people are mainly in it for financial gain. There is no easy way to stop people from doing this, perhaps requiring a licence in order to breed and cell any animal would help. Then these people could be forced to succumb to random inspections, and get fined should they not be "up to code" in their animal care. Other than that, education is the ONLY method of prevention.

Answer 6

Nobody can do everything but everybody can do something. Teach as many people as you can about puppy mills. I know not very many people know and many people learn about puppy mills by getting their dog from one. My dog was fortunate.
When people think about their dog that they got from a puppy mill they feel sorry for the PUPPIES the breeder is selling. But what about the dams and sires? They spend 5-6 years in kennels with no medical treatment until they can't breed anymore. After that they are either euthanized or given to a shelter.
So the answer is we have to educate people BEFORE they buy their new puppy. If you're worried about getting a Backyard breeder or Puppy Mill opt to adopt from a shelter or rescue.
To learn more about puppy mills go to http://www.misterpoll.com/2829175368.html

Answer 7

Don't buy dogs in petstores that can't identify the breeders of the puppies. Find a Breeder that will show the parents of the pups. don't buy a a pup from anyone who won't let you see the place the puppies were born, Or has multiple breeds with pups that won't let you see the parents. No flea market pups, . Just be careful that the breaders or sellers will let you see the parents.

Answer 8

well i dont know a lot on the topic but are the people who own the puppy stores the ones doing the breeding too? i was gonna say why dont the pet stores quit buying from these type of breeders and instead have humane societies come in and have pets up for adoption how some of the bigger pet stores are doing, i dont know but its definitely a big problem.

Answer 9

As far as I know the only way to stop them is for people to stop supporting them by buying their dogs. As long as people people buy their dogs they will stay in business. Raise peoples awareness about puppy mills and back yard breeders. It's the only way.

Answer 10

Not as long as people impulse buy from pet shops & backyard breeders, instead of taking the time to do the proper research when looking for a puppy....it is these people that keep "puppy millers" in business!