By Tanya M. Ursual

From The Lanark Animal Welfare Society (LAWS) P.O. Box 256, Lanark, Ontario, K0G 1K0:

We have all heard of puppy mills but how many of us really know what that means? More importantly, how many of us could identify a puppy mill dog? Hopefully by the end of this article you will know how to spot a puppy mill dog and what to do if you encounter a puppy mill ring?

The OSPCA defines “puppy mill” as a breeding operation in which dogs are repeatedly bred for financial gain and are kept in substandard conditions. The dogs are often confined in small cages their entire lives with no veterinary care, little food and no quality of life beyond their ability to create puppies.

So, how do you avoid buying a dog from a puppy mill? A good rule of thumb, is that money shouldn’t be the first priority for the seller. A reputable breeder does not sell its puppies to the first person who expresses interest with a handful of cash. Good breeders often conduct interviews, place buyers on a waiting list and may even have do a house or reference check. Always avoid breeders that will not let you see the mother of the puppy. Another red flag should be any advertisement from someone who appears to be selling a variety of breeds. Frequently, the majority of pet store puppies come from mass breeding facilities. Also, never fall into the “we have papers” trap as it isn’t always clear what a legitimate set of “papers” really look like. There are many puppy brokers acting in this area selling dogs on behalf of Quebec breeders where it is estimated that there over 2200 puppy mills in operation. Unfortunately, Quebec has no provincial legislation enabling investigators to pursue convictions. These brokers usually arrange clandestine meetings, over a cell-phone where both cash and a quick exchange are the order of the day. They will not let you see the parents of the puppy, they offer no guarantee of health and are not interested in your puppy parenting abilities.

Generally, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Ask yourself why a purebred dog would be sold for such a low price? The catch is that you are purchasing a dog that will be extremely unhealthy for the majority of its life and will cost you thousands of dollars in veterinary bills. Most of these puppies have genetic health and/or behavioural problems. Be sure to ask lots of questions of the seller. Ask the seller for the name and number of their veterinarian or references from other families that have purchased one of their dogs. A reputable breeder should be happy to answer your questions. If you sense a reluctance in their answers then that should be a tip that something may not be right.

If you come across a puppy that you suspect may be from a puppy mill or is sick, please do not purchase it. As much as you want to help that puppy, paying for it will actually perpetuate the problem leading breeders to believe there is an increased demand. A demand which will be met by more ill and caged animals creating more puppies. The best thing you can do is to call our animal Cruelty Inspector. Based on your tip, he will attend to the scene and assist the puppy which may include removing it from the premises or forcing the owner to take it to a veterinarian. That action may help not just that puppy, but hundreds more where it came from.

So, if you are interested in adding a dog to your family, where do you begin? Well, of course, you will start with a shelter. One in every four shelter dogs is a purebred and the majority of dogs lose their homes because of the owner’s lifestyle change, not because of anything the dog did. There are thousands of shelters filled with dogs waiting for loving homes. If you can’t find the dog you want at the first shelter, try another or wait a little while. If you absolutely have your heart set on a purebred puppy, ask your local veterinarian for a referral to a reputable breeder. If you encounter someone with an older dog of a breed you admire ask them where they got it from and what their experience has been. There are many specific breed clubs and rescue groups that may be able to assist you.

Like any exploitive industry, puppy mills are profit driven. In order to make an impact we all must do our part to stop the demand. If there is no demand for the purchase of dogs then more dogs will not be created in the interest of profit. Please share this information with anyone you know that may be considering purchasing a dog.