| Puppy mills are businesses that force dogs to | | | | cost more money, there are fewer chances to |
| produce litter after litter in order to satisfy the | | | | get a sick dog. What you need to know is that |
| demand for puppies. Sold in pet stores or online, | | | | such breeders have waiting lists for their dogs, as |
| puppies do not have a happy life in a puppy mill. | | | | they do not breed as much or as often as puppy |
| Disease, malnutrition and suffering prevail in some | | | | mills do. |
| puppy mills and the result can be that a puppy | | | | Animals bred in these mills often suffer from |
| might die after a few days from when he was | | | | health and social problems. If the animals are |
| bought. | | | | raised in a cramped space, shared by many |
| People are not always aware of what a puppy mill | | | | others, they tend to socialize poorly with both |
| is when they buy a dog from a pet store or over | | | | humans and other animals. Transportation from |
| the Internet. There are about 4,000 such | | | | the mill to a pet store is also done in poor |
| operations in the U.S. producing more than half a | | | | conditions quite often. Animal rights groups have |
| million puppies every year. | | | | campaigned against such breeders that offer poor |
| In some puppy mills, female dogs are bred every | | | | conditions. The media has also joined the effort to |
| time they are in heat and the result is that litters | | | | expose poor conditions in puppy mills. Such |
| decrease in size. Although it is recommended that | | | | campaigns are designed to make people more |
| the puppies should stay with their mothers for | | | | aware of what is happening in some puppy mills |
| eight to ten weeks, they are sometimes weaned | | | | and stop buying animals from such breeders in |
| from their mothers before this period. A pedigree | | | | order to stop the cycle that allows this industry |
| offered by such a business is not always | | | | to thrive. |
| authentic, and even pet stores that sell the | | | | Only some aspects of the dog breeding industry |
| animals are not always aware of the breeding | | | | are regulated by law. However, the increasing |
| conditions. Animals sold as purebred dogs might | | | | awareness of the public has led to new laws that |
| not be what the sellers claim to be, but the higher | | | | are aimed at stopping abuses at puppy mills. Such |
| price associated with purebreds is tempting for | | | | laws include limitations on the number of breeding |
| people involved in such businesses. | | | | females, licenses and inspections for the facilities |
| Reputable breeders would not distribute pure | | | | and proper veterinary care for the animals. |
| bloodlines in such manner. They usually participate | | | | Pet overpopulation and suffering for so many |
| in dog shows where their dogs take part in | | | | animals are the results of irresponsible |
| conformation and obedience contests. By | | | | entrepreneurs that want to maximize their profits |
| witnessing such an event, you can see for | | | | from puppy mills. Animal shelters are places where |
| yourself how the animals are groomed and | | | | you can really find a pet that needs your care |
| treated. Although acquiring a pet this way may | | | | and attention. |