Designer Dogs And Pet Store Puppies.

Chance and Mr. Puppy say, "Don't buy from a pet store, they sell puppy mill puppies and mixing breeds brings out the worst of both breeds."

I have been cruising the Internet and found a site for "puppies for sale" in the Ashland/Huntington area. I was dismayed to see the number of "designer" puppies for sale on this site. Also, there were many people looking to buy these dogs, because they looked "sooo cute." Buying a dog because it is cute is a really, really bad idea. You need to research very carefully when purchasing a puppy.

In the Herald Dispatch opinion section today, a lady wrote about a puppy she bought from a retail store that was sick. I wish she had read my blog. I have many, many posts on why not to buy a puppy from a pet store. I am sure I know the one she is talking about, but for legal reasons, I am not going to mention it. Pet stores have what is called "Pet store doublespeak."

From what I read in the letter to the editor, the lady's puppy survived. She is very, very lucky. I will continue to speak out against "designer" dogs and buying a dog from a pet store. If you want to ensure you are getting a healthy puppy, never buy a dog from a pet store, through a classified ad either in the physical paper or off a classified ad on the Internet. Any reputable breeder never sells through these means. You need to see both the parents or if both are not on site, contact the owner of the parent dog that is not available to view and talk to the owner of that dog.

But, I advocate getting a dog from a shelter, as they have many purebred dogs, and there are many, many breed rescues out there. And, let it be known, that these places will not place a dog with special needs to just anyone.

Largest Puppy Mill Bust In TN. History.

** some info taken from www.hsus.org **

On June 26, 2008, the HSUS (Humane Society of the United States) along with local authorities executed a warrant on a puppy mill called Pine Bluff Kennels. The suffering they saw was unimaginable, even to the seasoned officers. More than 700, yes 700, dogs, 25 horses and donkeys, 20 cats, 4 parrots and 15 chickens were seized.

There was the the smell of massive tragedy. The most neglected area of this puppy mill housed mother dogs and young offspring. These animals were left to wallow in mounds of their own feces, most of them with no food or water. Because the youngest animals are most vulnerable they found several puppies who succumbed to neglect.

These animals died without ever having a chance. They never even had names—nothing but misery. The older breeding dogs at the facility didn't fare much better. They were housed in a sea of tiny wire cages that made it impossible for them to stand comfortably—forcing their legs through the grates. Many had never had the opportunity to feel the security of solid ground beneath their feet.

The team came across the grave site of a pile of dogs with multiple gunshot wounds in their decaying bodies. Shot and thrown away like garbage. But, people that have puppy mills don't care about anything but money. These animals are garbage to them when they can no longer produce.

The owner of this horrid operation had agreed to surrender all of the animals to the local district attorney's office. May the punishment fit the crime this time. So, remember, if you purchase a dog from a pet store, this is the kind of operations you are keeping in business. People who just breed dogs to death.

I have many, many posts on puppy mills, but this one took my breath when I read about it. Please, please don't purchase a dog from a pet store or off the Internet, or through classified ads in the paper. Remember, reputable breeders do not sell their dogs through these means. If you absolutely think you need a purebred dog, there are many, many breed rescues out there. I have heard people say, "Oh, I don't know what these dogs have been through, and I bet they have all kinds of behavioral and genetic problems." This is not the case.

Breed rescues know what animals are special needs and only place them with people who can give them that special care. And, your local shelters have many purebreds up for adoption. Give a shelter dog or a breed rescue dog a second chance.