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Puppy Mills-Prisoners of Greed
You ask- What is a Puppy Mill?
The term "puppy mill," coined in the mid-to-late sixties to describe large scale commercial dog breeding facilities, has only recently arrived in the mainstream vernacular. It is a term that some claim is sensational and manipulative. The word "mill" refers to an operation that churns out dogs in mass, using female dogs as nothing more than breeding machines. The term conjures images of dogs crowded in wire cages, living in their own wastes, shivering from the cold, or baking in the heat. Tragically, this vision is not far from reality. Most people, not just those interested in animal protection, are shocked when confronted with the bleak images of dogs housed and bred in puppy mills. But in the 5,000 puppy mills found across the country, thousands of dogs are bred and raised for profit, valued not for their companionship or loyalty, but for the cold hard cash they bring.
Many consumers possess an image of puppies at a family farm, lovingly raised and cared for. Others may not even think about where a pet store puppy comes from. Drawn to a pet store window by a bin of wriggling puppies, the furthest thing from a customer's mind is the origin of these cute bundles of fur. But by buying a puppy, often for a price of $500 or more, the consumer is unknowingly supporting a cycle of abuse that begins at the puppy mill.
What the consumer can't see is the puppy's mother, imprisoned miles away, pregnant again, her body being used to produce more money-making puppies. Starting at six months, she is bred every heat cycle. She is often weak, malnourished, and dehydrated. Rarely, if ever, is she provided with veterinary care. She cannot maintain her productivity past her fourth or fifth year. After that, she is nothing more than a drain on the mill's operation and must be disposed of. If she's lucky, she'll be humanely euthanized. More often than not, she will be shot or bludgeoned to death. Discarded, her wasted body will lie forgotten in a local landfill or garbage dump.
If you are appalled by the above information than please keep reading. We at HARMONY have rescued rehabilited and are comitted to the educating others in order to help to save these defensless dogs. If you are a person with great compassion, patience and love of Doxies then you may be eligible to adopt a Puppy Mill survivor from your local rescue. Our aim is to educate the public as well as these Millers and work with them and the local athorites to get the Miller/breeders down to a manageable level and have quality of care. If the breeder will not cooperate then we will do all we can to get a conviction and shut them down. If you are interested in helping a Puppy Mill survivor please ask us for more information in your area. These dogs may look adorable now but most have many months or more of socialization and training issues and are not for every adopter. Thank you for reading this information and we hope you will also help to educate others. If you must have a puppy please be very cautious when buying as you may be unknowingly patronizing a Puppy Mill.
HARMONY'S HOPE...
"None needing rescue, none left to buy,"
"None cold and hungry, none left to cry."
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