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Puppy Mills
Thinking of getting a dog this year? We've all been tempted by that cute little puppy in the pet store window. Before you give in to the temptation and buy that furry bundle of joy, there are some things you should know.
For one, that cute little puppy most likely came from a large-scale, substandard commercial breeding operation, commonly known as a puppy mill. Puppy mills usually house dogs in overcrowded and often unsanitary conditions, without adequate veterinary care, food, water and socialization. The breeding stocks at puppy mills (possibly your new puppy's mom and dad) are bred as often as possible in order to increase profits. Unlike your lucky puppy, the mom and dad will probably never make it out of the mill.
Harsh Realities
The result? By buying a pet shop puppy, not only are you likely perpetuating and supporting a cruel industry, you—the consumer—run the risk of taking home a sick puppy! Dogs from puppy mills have been reportedly diagnosed with ailments such as respiratory infections and pneumonia, as well as hereditary defects like hip dysplasia. They may also be poorly socialized to people and other animals. Also, your new "purebred" puppy might not really be a purebred. Dogs at puppy mills are often bred indiscriminately, and lineage records are sometimes falsified to misrepresent that the dog is a purebred, when in fact, the animal is a mixed breed. Responsible breeders do not sell their dogs through pet stores.
How You Can Help
If you're looking to make a puppy part of your family, check your local shelters first. There are so many amazing dogs who need homes. If your heart is set on a specific breed, keep in mind that one in four shelter dogs is a purebred. Additionally, you can do an Internet search for breed-specific rescue organizations. If those attempts still don't give you the purebred puppy you're looking for, you'll need to learn how to choose a responsible breeder .
Resource List for Help
Resources and Information on Domestic Violence
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Domestic Abuse Statistics
Every 9 seconds, a woman is battered in the U.S.
Family Violence Prevention Fund, 1994.
95% of all victims of domestic violence are women.
Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report, U.S. Dept. of Justice.
Domestic Violence is the single major cause of injury to women, more than muggings and car accidents combined.
First Comprehensive National Health Study of American Women, The Commonwealth Fund, 1993.
Domestic Violence is the cause of 30% of physical disabilities in women.
California Department of Social Services, 1994.
50% of all women murdered in the United States are killed by a spouse or an acquaintance.
Journal of Trauma, 1992
Domestic Violence occurs in 60% of marriages and is the most underreported crime.
National Crime Statistics Report, 1993.
90% of battered women reported that their children were present when they were beaten.
National Crime Statistics Report, 1993.
25% to 30% of adolescent relationships are abusive.
L.A. Commission on Assaults Against Women
1/2 of all rape victims are raped between the ages of 14 and 17.
L.A. Commission on Assaults Against Women
As few as 5% of domestic violence victims are identified as such in Emergency Department records.
American Journal of Public Health, 1989.
Domestic Violence costs an estimated $1.4 billion annually in medical bills, and an additional $900 million in mental health treatment.
National Public Services Research Institute, 1994.
Domestic Violence is responsible for a $3 to 5 billion loss each year for employers due to absenteeism.
California Department of Social Services