Mill Dogs are housed in unsanitary conditions in over-crowded crates, wire cages and pens. They are sickly from sores and deformities caused by living their entire lives on the wire cage bottoms. They rarely, if ever, receive proper veterinary care, and are fed filthy, insect infected, low quality food. Water is filled with flies and dirt, and they never even feel the warmth of a human touch. Forced to reproduce every six months, they are weak and starving. When they no longer are able to reproduce, they are often killed. Sometimes their bodies are sent to rendering plants for use in the making of 3-D dog food - that's dead, diseased, dying and downed!
Puppies are taken from their mothers at anywhere between the ages of 6 to 8 weeks and loaded onto trucks, unheated in the winters, extremely hot in the summers. Some will die. Some that are deformed or not acceptable are culled. Some will be brought to pet stores, some to puppy brokers and others to auction...and some wind up being victims of animal research, depending on the grading they receive. Class A puppies are sold at a higher price than Class B. No wonder pet stores and puppy brokers buy the Class B's - it's all about profit.
We cannot impress enough, how important it is that no matter how cute or how healthy a pet store puppy is, your purchase of a puppy supports the misery of more puppy mills. Be wary of ads placed in the newspapers - any good breeder will not have to advertise their puppies. You will be dealing with a back yard breeder. Even if they claim to have AKC papers, that is no guarantee that the pure-bred mom didn't get together with the neighborhood stud and what you'll get is a mixed breed pup at a pure bred's price! You can find more information on adopting pure-bred dogs on the AKC's web site.
If you're thinking about adopting a puppy or dog, please consider adopting from the humane society or your local rescue!
Petfinder.com is one of the best search sites for all animals, cats, dogs, horses and even ferrets! Often the animals are living in foster homes where they learn housebreaking, basic commands and are socialized around people, children and other pets. The foster parent can help you adjust to living with your new dog as they know the dog's personality, it's fears, it's problems and what home situation would be best. It will be up to date on all vaccinations, and if age appropriate, spayed or neutered. Any valid rescue organization will offer support for the life of the pet if any problems arise.
RECYCLE LOVE! Think RESCUE!
"We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own live within a fragile circle, easily and often breached. Unable to accept its awful gaps, we still would live no other way. We cherish memory as the only certain immortality, never fully understanding the necessary plan."...Irving Townsend
