Inside the Puppy Mills

I just finished reading your article concerning the "puppy Mills' in Lancaster County. I was always proud to say I was from Lancaster County, but not anymore. I have personally experienced the terrible business of puppy mills, while looking for a dog I came upon what I thought was a legitimate breeder but was actually a puppy mill. I reported them to the local humane league and also the state board of animal protection. There license was removed. However for every one that closes another stays in business. Recently in two townships in Lancaster County, two puppy mill owners went before their township boards and asked for zoning approval for mills tha tthey had been running without approval for 16 years!
The tragic part of this story is that they were granted approval without any question, no fines, no words of caution, just approval to continue the abuse of dogs. When asked by reporters why they were granted approval one board member answered;"we want to remain an agricultural community" Dogs are not crops!
I am afraid that even with the new laws that will take effect in October, there will continue to be people that will ignore the law. Will there be enough policing of the puppy mills to make a difference? I applaud you for making this issue a national priority. It is the only way we can make a difference int he life of these precious puppies.
Nina Brown

I think that what this man is doing is great, he is trying to get word out to the public on the problems of puppy mills. It's a big problem when people are unaware of where dogs from puppy mills are being sold at, and then when they buy a dog from a pet store they have no idea that they are supporting puppy mills. The way that dogs are being treated is unfair to them, since they can't help where they have come to live. I think that the puppy mill owners should care less about how much extra cash they are making and more about the health and well being of the animals. I don't have a problem with people breeding dogs, just as long as they do it right by taking care of the dog and making sure they are getting everything they need.

Puppy mills that are poorly kept sounds atrocious. I think when people get too greedy and think nothing beyond profit, all sorts of atrocities get committed unconsciously. I think all creatures in this earth do not share the same fate. Some are more privilege than others in every sense of the word. Many humans suffer lives like the dogs in puppy mills....Humans can only treat the creatures we share the world with as well as it treat the weakest of our own kind. Humans are not very kind to each other in general. It is a tall order to expect kindness to creatures we consider subordinate species to us. Humans need to evolve in character, consciousness and compassion as a collective group before we can effectively extend kindness to other fellow species.

To JJlandry6a. First off, how do you know that they didn't call the authorities. Secondly, are you even certain that these conditions are against the law within these states. I know that down south and in the midwest, the animal laws are a lot more lax. Finally, appealing to the public via press conferences and the media is probably the only way other then some real laws that any difference is going to be made. Without stronger laws, the supply is never going to stop unless the demand stops. So attempting to inform the public is probably the only way to make a comprehensive difference. Closing down one puppy mill isn't going to amount to squat in terms of the big picture; another puppy mill will just rise in its place. I still find it hard to believe that people don't know that dogs in pet stores come from puppy mills. When you buy a new car, you go online and do research first. Do people not behave the same way when buying a new dog?

And of course, like most of the media whore charities, they don't call the DA or the Sheriff to rescue the animals immediatly, they call a press conference in DC, LA or NY to make more money and get more press. While the puppies still suffer and die. Then they release a video, and the puppies still suffer and die. Then, they go give interviews to barely read magazines to make more money and increase their Everest like ego...and the puppies still suffer and die. How can you sleep at night, cowards?

This comment in reference to the post I wrote a few months ago about the experience I had with a suspected puppy farm. The name mentioned in the letter should not have been posted whasoever, meaning they are not the puppy mill operators and have reputable businesses of hobby breeding rather than a puppy farm for profit. Laura Morphis DVM, Joyce Morphis, Sharon Tidwell I am so sorry for listing your names in the same letter which could be looked at as implying you were puppy mill breeders. This was a misunderstanding and I apologize whole heartedly. God Bless.

To whom it may concer about the puppy mills.
My friend/client posted a letter back in Dec. 07 about which I am not clear as to what all the concern toward telling the truth is about. But I promised I would write this to clear the air so no feeling are hurt let along the dog breeding businesses that would absolutely parish. We all know that it is a crime to have a puppy mill and cmsy2341 wrote a letter about her experience dealing with a vet in Oklahoma. She was a customer twice over buying 2 GSD and was quite happy with her find. Everything went smoothly with no loopholes and became real friends with the vet's mother and mother-in-law, who were the breeders of the dogs cmsy2341 had bought. Not mentioning any names to dig this deeper, or defame anyone over my letter, Cmsy2341 ha mentioned names which she is soley sorry for doing so. I just wanted the viewing audience to know she did not point any fingers at the breeders of the German Shepherd Dogs. it was mainly meant to mean the chihuahua she had bought that was advertised as a purebred and DNA test showed it was not. Name dropping on this site should be kept to a minimum for the simple reason of getting messages twisted and names revealed that should not of been acknowledged. For you viewers out there this was a misunderstanding about the comment from Luv my dogs posted 3/27/08. cmsy2341 was not referring to you on your breeding practices, it was mainly about the puppy mill that the vet offered to sell the dogs in good faith for a lady in Eufaula Ok. The lady was just a friend of a friend at church and the vet was doing her a favor for income. Let this be a lesson to anyone that discusses anything about anyone, do not name drop as it can cause a lot of trouble, I work with law enforcement and know first hand of the problems it can cause not to mention hurt feelings. So again Luv my dogs, cmsy2341 is so sorry for offending you and who all that was mentioned and who all were involved. She could not write this comment for the simple reason of someone reporting her, and you know who that was, this is why I am here to clear the air. In my estimation logic tells me that a licensed Vet should not be so trusting of who they help out in the near future for this reason. Cmsy2341 got a dog that was passed off as a purebred and that is a crime. These forums are for the sole purpose of information of citizens experiences and opinions not for the punishment that it can entail on slanderous misdeeds. I hope this has cleared up the misunderstanding with the 3 people mentioned, I am here to keep the peace. Thank you for reading and exercising your right to your own opinion.

The ??? after friendly and customers were my typo mistakes. Sure picked cruddy places to make errors. Sorry....thought I had proofed it.

The question marks after friendly and customers were my stupid typo mistakes. Sure picked crudy places to make errors. Sorry....thought I had proof read it.

Comment:I agree that puppy mills are wrong, should be illegal, and the people involved
should be punished.My concern is that one dissatisfied customer may decide to make false complaints against respectable breeders whose sole goal is to raise quality, happy, and healthy puppies.No one should have the power to post a blatant lie that causes the integrity of responsible breeders to be questioned.My name is Sharon Tidwell of Checotah, OK. I have raised German Shepherds off and on for 42+ yrs.Currently; I have two GS dogs being used for breeding purposes.Candace Shepard-Younce posted a bald-faced lie (see cmsy2341@12/17/2007) when she stated I run a puppy mill and I can prove it. On 8/29/2007 6:12 pm AKC Executive Field Agent Timothy Smith met with me for the purpose of auditing my record keeping practices, dogs, and facilities.Agent Smith's AKC Compliance Report reads as follows: "Met with Sharon K Tidwell and toured her facility. This facility consists of a pole building on dirt with plastic doghouses.The food is kept in metal hoppers and the water is in plastic buckets.There is plenty of shading for the dogs in each if the pens. All of the dogs are very sociable and very friendly???.Sharon K Tidwell sells most of her dogs by face to face, and mostly by word of mouth and repeat buyers. (One family has purchased 4 puppies.)This customer specializes in the German Shepherds breeds. At this time, this kennel meets the AKC Care and Conditions Policies." My daughter, Laura L. Morphis, DVM is a respected, intelligent, and caring veterinarian that has rescued and cared for dogs, cats and other animals at her own expense.In fact, Dr. Morphis presented Oklahoma Representative Ed Cannaday with a comprehensive alternative plan to the Oklahoma Pet Quality Assurance Protection Act Section 689.51 and Section 689.52.Joyce Morphis is a loves her dogs and would never be involved with a loathsome puppy mill.Laura, Joyce and I have numerous satisfied customers??? references, which we will gladly share. All the dogs we raise, regardless of the breed, are healthy and sociable.Our AKC breeds meet the highest standards of quality. One of the GS pups is being certified as a Drug Enforcement Officer.And, at least 2 are in Search and Rescue training. We are reputable breeders that love our dogs and treat them with the utmost love and kindness.On January 17 Sara, our oldest retired dam, lost her battle to cancer at the tender age of eleven.She received Hospice care, was allowed to die with dignity, and was buried in her favorite part of the pasture.We still mourn her passing.Please consider the accusations you read about people and take the time to verify the facts before you judge.Some innocent people, like us, are being hurt.If we are forced to quit raising these excellent breeds of quality dogs, police/law/military agencies and individuals/families who are looking for the perfect puppy will be the ones that suffer the loss.

My Story on why to never buy from puppy mills...

www.youshouldown.com/2008/01/dont-buy-new-puppy.asp

THANK YOU THANK YOU for this article. We need to shed light on what is happening - most people have no idea. I rescue dogs in northern IN, right in the middle of Amish puppy mill territory, so we see the worst of what happens in the dogs we take in. Yet, most people in the communities around here have no clue what is going on inside these barns!! no clue! My only question - why can't this article be printed in your magazine that is sold on shelves?? More people need to know!

Thank you SO MUCH for covering this story!! Exposure needs to take place - people have no idea what is going on. I work with a rescue in northern IN, right smack dab in the middle of Amish puppy mill country. And yet people who live here don't have a clue what is going on. Thank you so much for your article!! My only questions is: Why can't it be printed in the magazine that is sold on shelves????

Unfortunately Americans are so rapped up in instant gratification that this spills into getting a pet. NEVER EVER BUY a mammal (dog, cat, etc) from a pet store. These pets are like having a furry kid. THEY ARE NOT DISPOSABLE ITEMS. I work with breed specific dog rescue. In 2007 we placed 33 dogs. Over the years, of the dogs that we had access to their registration papers, could be traced to one breeder in Kansas. This breeder is known for supplying most of the Colorado front range pet stores. If you want a dog or a cat, PLEASE DO YOUR RESEARCH FIRST. GET THE ANIMAL FROM A SHELTER OR RESCUE GROUP or a RESPONSIBLE BREEDER.. A responsible breeder with always take your animal back if it isn't working out. They will also do the approriate health testing on the parents to try and prevent a litter with inherited health issues.PLEASE DO NOT BUY FROM SOMEONE THAT ADVERTISES THEIR PUPPIES AND KITTENS IN THE NEWSPAPER. THESE PEOPLE AREN'T RESPONSIBLE. You don't breed a litter unless you have the committed buyers lined up for all of the litter. Just because it's "registered purebred" doesn't mean it's a healthy animal or doesn't have inherited temperment problems for the parents.

There should be Major Laws against this sort of thing because it is just like murder but no one C's it that way because they think they are just animals WRONG they are not just animals they are living breathing things so why would you do that to them I mean would you kill your own son or daughter no so why do it to someone elses

There Should Be laws against this kind of thing