If you don't know what a puppy mill, I'll tell you what it is. A puppy mill is a mass breeding facility. Every year, 2.4 million puppies are bred in puppy mills and sold for profit, despite the overcrowding in animal shelters and severe overpopulation of dogs. Puppy mill kennels generally consist of small, outdoor wood and wire cages or crates. The animals are cramped into these filthy cages. Their eyes are filled with pus and their fur with excrement. Many of the puppies suffer from malnutrition and exposure. Like pet store owners, breeders save money, and thus maximize profits, by spending little on food, shelter, and veterinary care. Puppies consequently receive below standard food, minimal if any veterinary care, and inadequate shelter which, combined with the inbreeding prevalent in puppy mills, produce animals with genetic diseases and abnormalities. Puppies’ legs often fall through the bottom of their wire cages, causing additional injuries. Female dogs kept in puppy mills their entire lives are called “brood bitches.” They are typically undernourished and receive little veterinary care, in spite of being kept perpetually pregnant. Their puppies are frequently taken from them before being weaned. As a result, some puppies do not know how to eat and thus die of starvation. At approximately six or seven years of age, when they can no longer breed more puppies, “brood bitches” are killed. At four to eight weeks of age, puppies are taken from their mothers and sold to brokers (or retail businesses). The brokers then pack them in crates and transport them for sale at various pet shops. Frequently, the puppies are not provided with adequate food, water, ventilation, or shelter during transport; consequently, many die en route. Those that are not sold will be killed, brought back to the mill to breed, or sold to laboratories for research. Puppy mills are regulated by the US Department of Agriculture, under the Animal Welfare Act, which, passed by Congress in 1966, established minimum standards of care for animals bred for commercial sale. It is estimated that there are more than 5000 licensed puppy mills currently breeding and selling animals commercially in the US. These licensed mills provide local pets stores with an estimated 500,000 puppies and kittens each year. However, there are thousands more breeding facilities with equally horrific conditions which remain unlicensed and unregulated because they sell dogs online or directly to the public. The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) falls far short of what most individuals would consider minimum standards of care, and this is acknowledged in the USDA’s own materials. “Individuals who operate facilities in these categories must provide their animals with adequate care and treatment in the areas of housing, handling, sanitation, nutrition, water, veterinary care, and protection from extreme weather and temperatures. Although Federal requirements establish acceptable standards, they are not ideal. Regulated businesses are encouraged to exceed the specified minimum standards.” *Source, APHIS AWA Factsheet The American Kennel Club Although the AKC claims to be devoted to advancing the health of purebred dogs, it typically spends only about 2% of its total yearly income on research towards that end. Moreover, AKC papers do not guarantee the value or health of a puppy. The organization does not try to work with breeders to improve mill conditions, perhaps because breeders pay the AKC millions. Most of the puppies sold in pet stores come from puppy mills. Purchasing pet store animals means not only supporting the cruel puppy mill industry but also taking a home away from one of the 4 to 5 million unwanted shelter animals killed each year. Because of the inbreeding and filthy conditions common to puppy mills, they often produce animals with serious health problems which typically result in hefty vet fees. On top of this, pet stores generally do not socialize their animals. The puppies may consequently develop behavioral problems which do not make them ideal as pets. Pet shops dispose of unsold animals in, at times, unscrupulous ways. Before teaming up with LCA and going humane, OrangeBone sold about 40 dogs a month at high prices. In order to be profitable and present a viable solution to the puppy mill-pet store cycle, OrangeBone would have to re-home at least 60 healthy dogs monthly. Rescue organizations, such as The Brittany Foundation and Animal Alliance rallied together to ensure the success of OrangeBone; volunteers assisted with the care and maintenance of the puppies and the store. Very quickly, a store that had sold expensive dogs that originated from puppy mills was transformed into a place of hope and kindness towards animals. OrangeBone has become a compassionate, realistic solution to not only the puppy mill problem but also to pet overpopulation. Do not buy products from pet stores that carry puppies from commercial breeders. Support the pet stores that have gone humane Educate others to “ADOPT, DON’T SHOP!” Adopt from an animal shelter or rescue group; never buy from a pet store. Remember that 25% of shelter animals are purebreds. Do not shop at stores that sell animals. Volunteer at your local animal shelter or rescue group. Ask your elected officials to outlaw puppy mills. Urge them to demand that the USDA enforce the Animal Welfare Act. For your senators’ and representatives’ contact information, visit www.vote-smart.org Write letters to the editors of your local newspapers about the horrors of the puppy mill industry and its connection with pet stores. Distribute brochures about puppy mills and pet overpopulation outside of pet shops. Ask shopping mall managers not to renew the lease of the pet store on their property. Report pet store abuses to whomever is responsible for enforcing anti-cruelty laws in your town. Write a detailed statement of the abuses and take photographs, if possible Educate others about the cruelties of puppy mills and the importance of adopting from shelters. If I can get you to sign this petition and help me get rid of puppy mills for good, I would be the happiest and the most grateful person ever for all of you animal lovers out there.