Designer Dogs

Newsweek magazine has an in-depth article this week (April 13, 2009) on "A (Designer) Dog's Life. Written by Suzanne Smalley. This is worthwhile reading for anyone interested in the humane treatment of pets, dogs in particular, and the pros and cons of breeding, purebreds, and mixed breeding for profit, as well as the story behind the idyllic Amish and Mennonite farms in Ohio and Pennsylvania who sell puppy mill dogs at auctions.

I won't attempt to re-cap Ms. Smalley's article: she's done the research and writing, and Newsweek visited the farms and also talked to the farmers and to animal-rights activists. Please read the full report yourself at Newsweek.

Here is a fact I found interesting.

"According to Bob Baker, who investigates puppy mills for the ASPCA, these dogs typically receive little if any vet care, are kept in tiny cages 24 hours a day and rarely interact with humans. 'The difference all comes down to raising a dog as a loving pet versus cash crop,' says Baker, who estimates there are between 5,000 and 10,000 puppy mills in the United States, with as many as 2,000 in the Amish and Mennonite countryside."

Five to ten THOUSAND mills...that's not puppies, that's mills. A farmer with one male dog and four females might produce 48 puppies a year (in one example given by Smalley). That would mean 240,000 to 480,000 puppies per year! And I wouldn't be surprised if some farmers had more than five dogs breeding.

I don't know how we can change the fate of dogs in shelters without also going to the source. Free spay/neuter programs should be available to seniors, folks with disabilities, and families on public assistance. Low cost spay/neuter should be available to others. Legislation must address puppy mills. North Carolina, Washington, Oklahoma and about 24 other states, Smalley says, "are considering or have recently passed bills to improve conditions in puppy mills."

Here in Athens, Ohio, every Saturday morning you can see a few faithful protesters holding signs along the highway fronting Petland (see Petland protests here). Hats off to them! Long before I knew better, I purchased a Pekingese from Petland. The few faults that he has I am sure are due to his early non-socialization, and the first five months of his life spent confined in a small cage. He is a wonderful dog, but I will never purchase a dog, cat, or bird from a pet store again.

For more information on this subject, visit:

A Designer Dog's Life: Newsweek 4/7/09

Inside the Puppy Mills: Newsweek 12/13/07

The Oprah Winfrey Show: Investigating Puppy Mills 4/4/09
Also: What You Need to Know Before Getting A Dog
And: The Truth About Animal Shelters and Responsible Breeders

North Penn Puppy Mill Watch

The Humane Society of the U.S. (Stop Puppy Mills.org)

Petland Rallies:

Another nationwide demonstration is taking place at Petland stores from 1 to 3 p.m. (unless otherwise indicated) on Saturday, May 9, and we want you to be there! At these peaceful, lawful demonstrations we will be asking Petland again to please stop selling puppies! Contact your local organizer with any questions that you may have. We will supply the signs and flyers; all you need to do is show up. Unless otherwise noted where to meet, please assemble only on the public walkways in front of the strip mall.

Regulation of Commerical Animal Dealers (US Dept. of Agriculture)

Animal Welfare Act (US Dept of Agriculture, PDF)

Puppy Mills: Dogs Abused for the Pet Trade: Factsheet from PETA

Puppy Mill Rescue: 501(c)3 that finds new homes for breeding dogs from puppy mills

United Against Puppy Mills
Also: Finding a Reputable Breeder

Note: September 19, 2009 is the annual Puppy Mill Awareness Day.