Inside the Puppy Mills

Sadly, all too many see nothing wrong with popping down to the mall and getting a dog.

Frankly, there are not enough 'fancy' breeders (those that show their dogs) to satisfy the demand for puppies...and many of us will not sell to just anyone who will pay the price. I consider myself (like madsky4 below) a breeder of showdogs and companions...we have just had our first litter in 2 1/2 years (a grand total of 8 litters in over 17 years) Breeders like myself usually are members of AKC and/or UKC parent clubs for the breed. Most of those clubs have a code of ethics; one of which is that puppies are never to be sold to brokers or pet shops. Breeders like myself are sure that health checks are done on parents before breeding (hips, eyes, elbows, thyroid are the basics, but cardiac and other tests are common in many breeds) and many of those results can be viewed at www.offa.org Litters are raised in the home and extensively socialized. Visits from new owners-to-be are encouraged. Puppies are sold on contract with guarantees for health to approved homes. We also are available for advice throughout the life of the dog, and many will take a dog back, no questions asked. We are responsible for puppies we produce -- from beginning to end. Try getting any of that at your local Petland.

The sad fact is that many well bred companions from breeders like myself will cost no more than a pet shop puppy -- but we don't take credit cards or allow for impulse buyers.

You people are arguing over animal rights... the story is about the mistreatment going on at puppy mills, not "freeing all animals", or even spay/neuter. It's a government agency basically telling consumers not to buy from pet stores, because their animals come from bad sources. (Which also means the likelihood of the animal being sick and bad with people is very high.) Also, complaining about animal shelters is ridiculous. They charge fees for the animals because they have given the animal medical treatment, food, it helps support the shelter, and it also helps keep animal hoarders or people looking to abuse the animal away. You people need to focus on what the story's about. It's just basically saying buying from pet stores is unwise, always check the source of where your pet is coming from.

I don't think this has anything to do with "rearranging priorities". It has more to do with informing people of what is going on. There are people trying to end homelessness so why shouldn't there be people trying to end animal cruelty?

To the comment below. The person on the street has to make decisions for himself, has the ability to find shelter or to walk into a gas station bathroom to clean up and the likes. Puppies locked in cages by humans is a totally different subject. They are at the mercy of these people and don't have the ability to change their situation. The world is not a perfect place by any means but for human beings to intentionally be crule and heartless and thoughtless to creatures for profit??? Horrible

pain and agony is pain and agony, every dog should at the very least have proper food water and shelter. They should be free from fear and loved for what they are providing for you. The last comment discussed that basically we are ignorant about what dogs should be used for. Ok food, water proper shelter, kindnes and humane treatment at all times. They do still feel pain and dispair. Their not a robot!

I'm glad someone is bringing attention to this issue. I worked at humane societies for years and have seen animals born at or rescued fom puppy mills. They often have physical problems due to mistreatment, neglect, or inbreeding. If you want a purebred, research your breeder first. Or better yet, get your dog at a humane society! There are plenty of purebreds and wonderful mixed breeds, and often there are puppies. Millions of homeless animals could be helped.

If people want a purebread they should go to the breed list and get a breeder, go see the breeding operations and then talk to other owners of that breed. This would expose the puppy mill breeders who think they are doing nothing wrong. People should do their due diligence, it's not that hard and there is absolutely no excuse.

Americans love animals, well at least most do. We demanded justice for the animals that Vick had mistreated , but at least he put them out of their misery, these kennels should be shut down,and the people operating them should be put in jail. It makes me sick to my stomach, and if I ever come into any money most of it will go to fight this inhumane business. I would also help people too. But animals do not have a voice to cry out for help. They need us to stand up for them. I say close all puppy mills, and shut down the pet stores that do business with them. I know I have never bought a animal from a pet store,and never will. I encourage everyone I know to go to the animal shelter.

More and more people NEED TO BE EXPOSED TO THE TRUTH OF ABUSE TO ANIMALS. These Puppy Mills are not known to the public. Spaying and Neutering is NOT GOING TO GET RID OF ANIMALS and SPECIES. That person is coming from a place of FEAR!!!!! Get Real!! Friends should be telling other friends and networking, emailing to all the people we know and definitely Demand that our Government do something NOW. Abuse to animals leads to abuse of children and family. Everybody - starting emailing now!!! Know that All Things Are Possible, and as John Lennon said: "There's Always A Solution". Wishing LOVE TO ALL!!!.

We have created this problem, we rely on the media to dictate so many of our actions these days... If someone sees Britney or Paris with a new dog it becomes the "it" dog and every girl in America wants one... Where do you think these dogs come from??? When your child wants a dog like Lindsey or Brit, take her to pick out a dog that needs a new home instead.... Teach them about the cruelty of puppy mills and help them make a difference!!

Good article. Now, please explain to me why so many of the "SPONSOREDS LINKS" are clearly PUPPY MILLS! I realize that the author of this article is not responsible for allowing these sponsored links. However, SOMEONE at Newsweek DROPPED THE BALL HERE, thereby making Newsweek guilty of supporting the puppy mills while at the same time featuring articles that tell of their horrors and cruelty. Maybe better communication between the advertising and editing departments would prevent this sort of embarrassing mixed message in the future. Better yet, investigate your sponsored links, and deny puppy mills and other less than desirable businesses.

Good article. Now, please explain to me why so many of the "SPONSOREDS LINKS" are clearly PUPPY MILLS! I realize that the author of this article is not responsible for allowing these sponsored links. However, SOMEONE at Newsweek DROPPED THE BALL HERE, thereby making Newsweek guilty of supporting the puppy mills while at the same time featuring articles that tell of their horrors and cruelty. Maybe better communication between the advertising and editing departments would prevent this sort of embarrassing mixed message in the future. Better yet, investigate your sponsored links, and deny puppy mills and other less than desirable businesses.

Knowing that puppy mills exists has always angered and disturbed me. I did one of my speeches in college on puppy mills and was quite surprised how many people have never heard of them! I was rather disappointed that hardly anyone knew they existed. How will anything get done about them then?! I think people really need to become aware and educated about these terrible places before they really understand what they are supporting when they get puppies from pet shops. I wish there was a hard and fast way to take care of these things. Its so heartbreaking and terribly cruel.

I live in Oklahoma, and i just read a web sight about an Auction in Atoka Okla. Auction off 600 puppies and Vet supplies.

I've don't see where you can say that buying from a pet store, you are buying from a puppy mill. I've raised dogs and puppies on our farm and I did not consider myself as a puppy mill. My dogs had heat, air and a dry house to get into out of the weather. If you have you lisense to raise dogs and puppies, you have regulations that controls how you do this. I had inspectors that came to my place and they were well satified each time that they left. So don't say , that we shouldn't buy from a pet store. There are good breeders out there and it up to the inspectors to weed the bad ones out and not make it hard on the ones that are really working hard to follow the rules.