Every year, tens of thousands of dogs are born into the filthy conditions in unregulated puppy mills nationwide. Amiee Stubbs (Photo & caption from Rolling Stones article)
DON’T BE FOOLED BY PUPPY MILLS
You may have seen some news stories or social posts lately about how a surprising amount of puppy mills have been found operating in some Amish communities. This speaks to one of the overarching dangers of puppy mills in general – many times people running puppy mills can come across as good-hearted, well-intentioned people even though we know there are no excuses for the inhumane conditions and treatment they force on the animals in their care.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO STOP PUPPY MILLS
One of the best ways you can help bring an end to puppy mills is by ensuring that you aren’t supporting businesses or getting dogs from places that operate this way. This can be tricky because people who run puppy mills often disguise their operations to fool the public, or they send their animals to pet stores that don’t disclose how the animals they sell have been raised.
Here are several articles that can help you understand just how serious and pervasive puppy mills still are in today’s world, and how you can be better equipped at identifying them and taking action to help shut them down.
- The Horrible Hundred 2016: Puppy Mills Exposed – a list of 100 Puppy Mill offenders, some of whom are “repeat offenders” that have proven capable of continuing to skirt the laws to stay in operation
- Puppies ‘Viewed as Livestock’ in Amish Community, Says Rescue Advocate – an article about Lancaster County, PA which had been called the Puppy Mill capital of the US as early as 2009
- Pennsylvania puppy mills: The problem that won’t go away – An updated article about how the puppy mill culture of Lancaster County, PA continues their harmful practices as of 2015
- The Dog Factory: Inside the Sickening World of Puppy Mills – An investigative look at some of the worst puppy mills in operation, plus links to organizations you can support to help fight back against this problem
- Seven Ways You Can Stop Puppy Mills – The Humane Society has outlined several things you can do, starting today, to make a positive impact on this issue from how to help make your local pet stores puppy-friendly to contacting your legislators
Many of the rescues and shelters that attend My Furry Valentine work on the front lines saving puppies, pregnant mothers, returned animals, and more from the fate of puppy mills, as well as being advocates and activists on the issue. If you are passionate about bringing a saved animal into your family, join us in February to find a match, or contact one of the rescues and shelters who are participating ahead of time to start a conversation to learn more about your options.
