How much space is enuff?

The first reaction of people who see photos of puppy mills is "Why aren't these places closed down?"  The answer is simple. The USDA standards for care of mill dogs is so minimal that most are in compliance.

Lets start with the Primary Enclosure - that is where the dog will spend its entire life. The USDA requires that a dog measuring 18 inches from nose to base of its tail needs a space of only 4 square feet. This enclosure must be 6 inches taller than the dogs head when standing. This, to the USDA, is adequate space.


In addition, the requirements state that the animal should be given a chance to exercise every day, but like many other requirements, there are exceptions.  If the dog is given double the amount of space, that same 18 inch long dog can spend its entire life in a cage measuring only 48 X 48 inches. Another exception is that if 2 dogs are placed together in the same cage, they will get enough exercise playing with each other so no time out of the enclosure is required.

The USDA requires that the temperature in commercial breeding facilities be kept between 50 and 85 degrees, but again there are exceptions to the rule. If the temperature goes below 50 degrees the dogs must be provided with bedding and below 35 degrees - extra bedding. If the temperature exceeds the 85 degree mark, a window fan will provide adequate ventilation and air movement.    

Since female dogs in mill situations are bred every 6 months, the amount of time they spend either mating, being pregnant, or nursing pups averages 32 weeks a year - a full time job.

The USDA uses special calculations to figure out the amount of space a nursing mother and her puppies will need.  In addition to the minimal space needed to house the mother dog, 5% of that space is required for each puppy. A Yellow Lab, "and her nine puppies (which will triple in size before weaning) will require a cage smaller than the size of a twin size mattress".(www.petshoppuppies.org)

Of course there are no exercise requirements for nursing mothers. They are confined with their pups 24/7 with no way to escape or relax. After the seven weeks of nursing, mothers are totally exhausted from this ordeal. Many mothers become frustrated and will often trample pups in this confined space.
The pups also suffer in this situation. Many will have life-long behavioral issues caused by the lack of care and socialization during the crucial early weeks of life.   

Until the USDA changes the requirements for mill dogs, there will never be change. Violators are often given a slap on the wrist with the most severe penalty being loss of the USDA license. Even when breeders lose their USDA license, the opportunity for puppy sales at flea markets or online keep these people in business.

PLEASE WRITE OR E-MAIL THE USDA 

United States Department of Agriculture

Office of Inspector General

PO Box 23399
Washington, DC 20026-3399