"Opt to Adopt" Your Next Canine Companion

Dogs sold in pet stores often come from overcrowded and inhumane "puppy mills"

When you make a choice to adopt a dog from your local shelter or a rescue group, you are not only saving an animal’s life -- you are choosing not to support puppy mills.

What are puppy mills?
A puppy mill is a massive breeding operation where hundreds of dogs are kept in overcrowded and often unsanitary conditions without proper veterinary care, food, water or human interaction. Puppies born in puppy mills are often seriously sick, poorly socialized and have hereditary and congenital defects from being bred carelessly.

In February 2009, UAN's Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS) volunteers helped care for 300 dogs rescued from a North Carolina puppy mill. Most of the dogs were severely matted and had ear and eye infections, open wounds, ingrown toenails and other conditions that had gone untreated for years.

What is life like in a puppy mill?
In a word, grim. Puppy mill dogs do not experience simple pleasures like treats, toys, exercise or basic grooming. Physical conditions commonly seen in puppy mill dogs include extreme matting, hair loss, open sores, lacerations, eye and ear infections, parasites and mange. Psychologically, puppy mill dogs may be fearful, timid and stressed from spending their entire lives confined to a cage without human interaction.

A breeding dog might spend her entire life confined to a filthy wire cage, bred over and over again, year after year, without the chance to feel the sun on her face or know a loving human touch. When she is no longer able to produce litters, she will be killed or abandoned.

Who buys dogs from puppy mills?
Unbeknownst to consumers, many of the pets sold in pet stores, through classified ads and over the Internet come from puppy mills. Sometime puppy mills sell directly to consumers through Web sites designed to give the impression of a reputable breeder. If you decide to a buy a puppy directly from a breeder, don't do so without seeing where the puppies and their parents are raised and housed. Reputable breeders should be glad to show you how well they run their business and care for their animals.

Dogs bred in puppy mills often become sick weeks or months after being sold, leaving the purchaser with an extreme financial and emotional burden.

Make a better choice for the animals by adopting from a shelter or rescue group … and encouraging others to do the same.

Need more convincing? Read our top five reasons to adopt instead of buy:

Adopting saves money. Adoption fees at shelters and rescue groups are typically much less than the cost to purchase a dog, and they often include vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery and even microchip identification.

Variety reigns at the shelter. You’ll find dogs of all sizes, breeds, colors, temperaments and personalities at your local shelter. Want a high-energy ball player to be your activity partner? How about a low-key but lovable lug to share couch potato duties with you? Shelter staff and volunteers can counsel you and your family on the best pet to fit your lifestyle.

In 2009, lawmakers in several states introduced legislation  that could prevent puppy mills. If your state is among them, send a letter of support to the sponsor.

Adopting supports your community. By giving a home to a shelter or rescue animal, you save a life and create space for another needy animal, helping to reduce the number of unwanted and homeless animals in your community.

Raise awareness. Puppy mills will continue to flourish until consumers stop buying dogs from pet stores, through classified ads and over the Internet. When you adopt, you use your wallet to say “no way” to puppy mills, and create an opportunity to tell others about your choice. 

• Download and print our "Opt to Adopt" flier to spread the word about the benefits of adoption.
• Find shelters and rescue groups near you through Petfinder and Pets 911.

If you have your heart set on a specific breed and can’t find one at a shelter or rescue group, don’t give up! Search the Internet for breed-specific rescue organizations.