How do you define a puppy mill?
Today I learned that my favorite radio station will be doing a live broadcast from a pet store in St. Croix, Minnesota. It might not seem like a big deal, but this particular store advertises “We have new puppies come into our store weekly. “
My first thought was they must be coming from a puppy mill. After all, who else is going to provide puppies on a weekly basis? Most legitimate breeders cannot provide puppies at that level. So, the question is… where are they coming from?
When asked on another friend’s Facebook page, the owner replied the following:
“… We certainly do not have puppy mill puppies. All of our employees from day one of training are taught to proudly give full disclosure of all information regarding our breeder. If anyone contacts us they are given name, address and phone on every occasion. We have nothing to hide. The only Breeder we have ever worked with has been in business for over forty years. He has a beautiful facility and treats all the puppies as if they are his own. He has been investigated by channel 9 TV out of the Twin Cities and after touring his facility was told that this is not the kind of facility they were looking for to put on the news…” She also goes on to say that they have veterinarians on staff at the facility.
So, if the facility is clean, has vets on staff and the store can provide info on the breeder to new owners, and a TV station has decided not to do a story on this facility, is it a puppy mill?
If it supplies new puppies weekly to a store is it a puppy mill?
I’d love to hear what you think.
How do you define a puppy mill?
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A breeder is in it for the dogs. A puppy mill is in it for the money.
Thanks Rod! I look forward to how others define a puppy mill.
I have to answer w/a question! How are the bitches that are pumping out all these puppies treated? They are obviously bred every heat! I think it’s just a clean puppy mill!!
Good question! The pet store owner never responded to that question. Either she doesn’t know or doesn’t want to know.
I may be a minority on this one, but with sooo many homeless dogs, I question why there is even a need breeders at all?
I’d also disagree with Rod. Even if a breeder has the puppies’ best interest at heart, they’re in business – to make money. If this particular breeder can afford to have vets on staff, they’re not only making money, but a lot of it!
Thanks for your input Jim. “Vets on Staff” may have been what the breeder wanted us to think, but based on USDA inspection from 2008 it may be exaggerated http://www.nowisconsinpuppymills.com/menning-enterprises-jan08.pdf
I love this blog, it really inspired me. keep on posting.