How You Can Help Put an End to Puppy Mills!
By Joy Lee
My awakening to the horrors of puppy mills began in the summer of 2001 with a widely covered news story in the St. Louis media. The Humane Society of Missouri had conducted several raids on sub-standard breeding facilities in the state, and at the time was caring for several hundred dogs at their shelter while they awaited the outcome of legal proceedings against the breeders. They were in need of supplies and volunteers to help care for these pathetic little animals who had spent their lives in atrocious circumstances. I had taken a break from a corporate career and as a dog lover, felt it was a good opportunity to get involved, so I went to the shelter with a donation and to offer my services as a volunteer.
Initially, it was just the staff that cared for all of the little survivors, but it was hard not to be impacted by their stories, especially after seeing some of the pictures from the raids. Adult dogs in puppy mills are used strictly for breeding purposes, and don't receive even the most basic of care. They spend their lives in cramped wire cages, with inadequate food, water, sanitation and veterinary services. They are never socialized with people, never get outside for exercise or play, never receive any affection or attention.
These dogs spend their lives in these cages, which are frequently stacked on top of each other, forcing the animals to exist in their own filth along with the urine and feces of other dogs around them. Most suffer from any number of parasites and diseases, including chronic eye and ear infections, fleas and ticks, matted fur, open and untreated wounds and similar problems. At one of the breeding facilities raided that summer, one poor little dog had chewed his own leg off due to the stress of his environment...simply an indication of the horrors of that particular puppy mill.
Why are these animals subjected to such an atrocious life? The motive is profit on the part of the breeders. These dogs exist in order to have puppies, which are then sold in pet stores and on-line sites throughout the country. People don't always understand that those cute little "purebred" puppies for sale in stores are often the product of puppy mills. Not only do these purchasers contribute to the proliferation of puppy mills, but the puppies themselves are often in-bred, ill and suffer from any number of genetic defects. Once the adult dogs are no longer useful for breeding, they suffer even more...they are killed, abandoned as trash or sold, frequently for laboratory research.
Fortunately, the public is paying more attention to the plight of these dogs and a number of initiatives are underway to shut them down. States are enacting tougher laws to regulate breeding facilities.
Organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States and Best Friends Animal Society continue to push for legislation at a national level. Large chains such as PetSmart and Petco no longer sell puppies, but focus instead on adoptions through local shelters. These are all positive steps towards the elimination of puppy mills, but there is still a long way to go.
Four months after the raids during the summer of 2001, several hundred small dogs were finally awarded to the Humane Society and were available for adoption. Most of their medical problems had been treated and their health, at least, had improved. Shelter staff and volunteers were offered the first opportunity to apply for these unfortunate animals. I had been considering adding a second dog to my own family, and felt I was in a good position to provide a safe, loving and somewhat knowledgeable home for one of the rescued dogs. I went back to look at them...so many sad little faces! Some were friendlier than others, coming to the front of their enclosures to visit. Many more were shy and withdrawn, either hiding as far back as they could or sitting indifferently at any attempts to approach them.
I was drawn to a year-and-a-half old silver toy poodle, a little girl that the staff had named "Sylvia." While she was not friendly and approachable, she was also not cowering in fear, and I felt she might be a good match for my eleven-year old silver male poodle, Tiny. She did not seem to have any major health problems, but she was definitely in need of grooming! Though her coat was silver in color, the fur on her legs was brown, due to a combination of dirt stains and constant licking due to stress. I completed the adoption application and was approved several days later. Once she was spayed and vaccinated, the staff contacted me to let me know that she could go home.
I arrived at the shelter with a collar and identification tag with her new name "Sylvie." A staff member brought her out to me and placed her on the counter top, where she studiously avoided eye contact with anyone. We set off for home, neither of us having any idea how we were going to adapt to each other. She was curious, though, standing on my lap during the ride home and looking out the window. I thought that was a good sign.
Once we got home, and the initial introductions to Tiny were completed without incident, I took her outside. She clearly did not understand what grass or freedom to move around was all about, and every time the wind blew, she would sit down as though afraid. It took several days before she could work up the courage to be in the same room with me...I would see her peeking around the corner at me, considering her options, while Tiny cuddled with me on the sofa. I set up a large pen at the side of my bed, so that she could be in the room with us at night and still have her own safe (and crate-free!) place. It was several weeks before she learned to walk on a leash, and at least that long before she considered me to be her friend. I let her set the pace; after all, she needed to learn that I offered good things and love rather than terror.
I worked with a certified animal behaviorist who was experienced with puppy mill dogs to help us all adjust to life together. He told me at one point that most of these little survivors would never be "normal" dogs, but that once they had been in a home for twice the length of time that they had spent in the puppy mill, they were probably as normal as they would ever be.
Even now, eight years later, Sylvie still shows remnants of her horrific start in life. Most dogs will instinctively avoid eliminating in their sleeping areas, but since these dogs live their entire lives in one filthy cage, they really have no choice. So, she will never be fully potty-trained, although she is greatly improved. She has a tendency to "hoard" her food...I will find parts of meals and treats carefully tucked away among sofa cushions and bedding...as though she is still not 100% sure that there will be another meal later. She has an amazingly cute, cuddly and playful personality when she is with people she knows and trusts, but is withdrawn and will not make eye contact with anyone new. Her philosophy seems to be: "if I don't look at you, then maybe you will not realize I am here and you will not bother me."
Sylvie is one of the lucky ones. Other than her little behavior quirks, she has been fairly healthy and has adapted to life in a loving home. Many more of these dogs have serious ongoing problems, and the families who love them and nurture them are true heroes.
How can you help to end puppy mills? Don't purchase puppies from pet stores, flea markets, online or from the side of the road. If you are purchasing a purebred puppy, check out the breeder to make sure that they are reputable and caring individuals. If possible, you should visit the breeder's facility to ensure that the parents and pups are present and in good care. A reputable breeder will most likely ask you to meet more requirements than you ask of them! Additionally, shelters are full of wonderful pets in need of homes...and approximately 25% of shelter dogs are purebred! Consider adopting instead of purchasing. The only way we will ever end puppy mills forever is for people to stop supporting them financially. Please help stop the needless suffering of these animals.
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