February 29, 2008The fight against puppy mills continuesPlease read Donna Alvis-Banks' story about VA PAWS, a New River Valley-based group that was instrumental in saving dogs from the Bland and Carroll County puppy mills in 2007. Think very seriously about where you get your next dog. Yes, the puppies at a pet store look cute and yes, it would be great if every pup had a home, and yes, the pet store might even make you a deal on the price. 
But buying a dog at a pet store supports the puppy mill industry. And it could result in heartache for your family when you fall in love with a puppy only to find it has serious emotional or health problems, like little Foxy Stella, the puppy referred to in the article. The American Kennel Club opposes the bill described below the photo with the story. They fear it will impede on the rights of responsible breeders. What do you think? Should the legislature strictly limit the number of dogs a breeder can have at one time? Will this bill be the solution to the puppy mill problem? Or will it only drive it underground with even less oversight than it has now? If nobody's buying, there’s no profit in breeding, so is the only real solution to the problem of puppy mills consumer boycotts? (Photo by Justin Cook, The Roanoke Times) |
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Comments
[February 29, 2008 3:43 PM]
TinaThe AKC makes most of its money FROM puppy mill registrations. That is what pays for the dog shows and purebered dog lobbying and promotion for the "reputable" or "responsible" breeders.
The AKC business foundation is built on a bed of profitable, unregulated puppy mill activity.
Thus the AKC opposes any kind of laws or regulations on behalf of the puppy mills.
The AKC profits from this puppy mill activity. They have a business relationship with the puppy mill industry.
AKC judges and breeders sit on an AKC "puppy mill committee" and solicit business arrangements with puppy mill breeders and pet stores.
Also, many of these "responsible" breeders also are in fact running unlicensed businesses and not paying taxes on income. They have far more dogs than they let on, and are breeding and selling far more animals.
They can keep their businesses under the radar if they can stay unlicensed and off records.
They falsely believe that they have the "right" to be completely unregulated and not pay taxes or follow laws like other citizens.
The dog breeding business is an ugly one, and it is unfortunate that the self-described "responsible" arm of this industry supports cruelty, disease, and abuse.
Just because someone labels themselves as "responsible" does not mean they are, or are engaged in "responsible" lobbying activities.
But money talks. And personal financial and business interests can convince some people to support the most terrible of industries.
[February 29, 2008 3:53 PM]
TinaAs far as pet store sales go, Yes! pet stores buy dogs from puppy mills and sell dogs from puppy mills.
But many of the worst puppy mills don't deal through pet stores at all.
They sell direct to the public, either through classified ads in newspapers and online, and Website sales.
Breeders that sell to the public do NOT have to be USDA licensed.
It's a loophole.
As bad as USDA licensed puppy mills are (and the USDA has acknowledged that it does not have the manpower or ability to properly inspect and regulate puppy mills)
the unlicensed ones that sell direct to the public are worse!
They put up a fancy website with false pictures of "happy puppies" and tell fantasies about "loving breeders" and try to convince people that they are reputable.
Then they ship the puppies because they do not want anyone to see the horribly abusive and diseased conditions these dogs come from.
Being unlicensed and uninspected allows them to commit animal abuse and spread disease while making hefty hidden profits (that DON'T get reported to tax authorities.)
This is how the puppy mill industry continues.
Committing abuse, spreading disease, cheating buyers with sick animals, making big money that goes untaxed.
And they don't want any laws or rules! They want to keep running their businesses this way.
While other businesses DO have to follow rules and laws.