PUPPYMILLS...ILLEGAL CATTERIES...BACK YARD BREEDERS..
Puppy Mills...Illegal Catteries...Back Yard
Breeders....they all have something in common. They are breeding
unhealthy, uncertified, poorly kept animals who want nothing more out of life
than to be loved. Many live in cramped cages, with little attention,
no socializing, and at times go without food and/or water, not to mention the
health care they are not receiving. All back yard breeders, etc., are not
necessarily dirty with cramped cages. Some have fairly decent surroundings, some
are quite immaculate, but the end result is the same. Corners are cut,
puppies are not socialized, the parents are not screened properly, and the
bottom line is they are in it for the profit they make from these animals.
Most of these animals are ill-fed, bred each heat, abused and/or neglected,
left alone most of the time except for feeding, and never see the inside of a
house. Some are, at times, house pets, and for the benefit of the children
needing to see how nature works, or the wanting to breed their female to the
male down the street so they can have one of Fluffy's pups, they breed.
But what about the puppies? Are they going to be healthy? Have
either of the parents been screened for genetic disease or other problems?
The offspring are then found to be a nuisance, sold to those who will not have a
clue as to their condition other than they are cute...and they wriggle...and
they are just so fun when they are puppies. Or they are piled in a box and
offered at the local supermarket doorway. Or they wind up at the local shelter
because they don't want to be bothered with the training.
These puppies grow up. Many will have health problems. Many will
get sick and die. Some will be shy and/or aggressive, either
untrained or over trained, and the hereditary diseases they can carry as baggage,
are to drain your pockets with vet visits. Puppies and kitties do not have
to be in this shape or be of these unknown temperaments. Nor do they have
to have these terrible diseases they come with. When you buy a puppy or
kitten from a pet store you are essentially buying a "pig in a poke".
You have no idea what you are getting until the vet bills begin to roll in.
Buy your puppy or kitten from a "responsible and reputable breeder",
or go to the pound or shelter. Do NOT buy from pet stores and online web
sites that have no guarantees for you, and sell their puppies and kittens to the
first person with the cash. You wouldn't buy a vehicle unseen, so why a
living, breathing animal that should bring you ten to fifteen years of wonderful
companionship? Reputable breeders screen their buyers, and vice versa.
Is your breeder asking you the right questions? Are you asking the right
questions? It makes all the difference in what you get. A reputable
breeder will take the pup back any time during their lifetime. Not just if
they have a problem. Read "How to buy a purebred puppy "
Join our group and help stop these atrocities. Join us and learn
more about these puppies and kitties, and the pet stores who sell these precious
little animals, and learn about the bitch's that give them life, and
the lives they live -- in a cage. Please visit us at: http://www.Critterhaven.net
WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT PUPPYMILLS & KITTYMILLS?
The single most important
thing that each of us can do
is to EDUCATE the public. Until the public is aware of the fact that most puppies and
kittens come from these horrible mills, the pet stores will continue to sell these animals. Backyard
breeders will continue to breed less than desirable pups and kittens. We MUST
get the word to as many people as possible. One way you can educate many people
at one time is to set up a table at the annual dog events throughout 
your state, such as what Carol Johnson did at the Dog Daze Festival in
Trussville, Alabama the first weekend in August. Carol reserved a space to set
up a table especially for educating the public. There was a picture taking
session where folks could get their dog's picture taken and picture was placed
inside a beautiful gold frame and the dogs were given a free bandana which
attracted people to this table. Many flyers were distributed and lots of people
went home with a better understanding of where pet store puppies and kittens
came from. Here is a picture of the table she set up and a picture of one of the
dogs having it's picture taken.