A week or so ago, I had the opportunity to attend a reception for puppy mill awareness. We are a mixed family at my house. We have a purebred Yorkie and we have a (now 15 year old) pound puppy that we got at an animal shelter when we lived in San Antonio.
Growing up, we were always very selective of where we got our dogs. We never got a dog from a mall pet store. The dogs there always seemed so sad and listless. In addition, the cost of a mall puppy was always outrageously overpriced compared to a carefully researched pet from a mom and pop breeder. I say careful, because back then, we had never heard of the term like “puppy mill.” We simply stayed away from anyone who bred dogs as a business or as their primary source of income. We had seen places like that and the animals were never treated well, by our standards. However, there are always people who want to breed there favorite bitch or sire. More often than not, these folks have never bred a dog before. Those are the folks I will buy a dog from if I am looking for a specific breed and want a puppy.
I know a lot of folks who adore rescue dogs. There is an incredible need for those special people who have huge hearts big enough to take on an abused, challenging dog. Done right, these amazing folks can turn a heartbreaking story into a well-adjusted, socialized dog that assimilates into a family. I know some folks who only have foster dogs in their home. Their specific goal is to rehabilitate dogs so that they become suitable for adoption.
I have always wanted to screw up my own dog, if you will. I’m just one of those people who have to start with a puppy. Understand, I have the same theory when it comes to picking a husband—find ‘em young and train them the way you like. (I said it was a theory, I didn’t say it works flawlessly.)
One of the things I learned at the puppy mill awareness reception was how many purebred rescue groups are actually started (and sadly flourishing) because of puppy mills. In fact, the same week as the reception, a puppy mill in a nearby county voluntarily relinquished their small-breed dogs and puppies that had been living in deplorable conditions. I understand those dogs will be available for adoption from the Humane Society this past weekend.
Among the things I learned about puppy mill awareness is to look at the rescue groups first, especially if you want a specific breed. The Humane Society in your area or another local animal shelter are also great options. I’ve found that a lot of the breed-specific rescue organizations have pretty hefty fees as mandatory “donations” to get a puppy or dog. This could be a financial deterrent for some families, especially when you consider all of the expensive initial visits to the vet required for puppies.
The Humane Society is a very cost effective option and all the animals are spayed or neutered before they are allowed to go up for adoption. Although it’s a generalization, I’ve found that most of the dogs you find at the Humane Society tend to be larger breeds or larger mixed breeds. I can say from experience, however, that mutts tend to be the toughest, constitutionally strongest, and most resilient dogs you will ever find. If you have or love a mutt, you’ve got to know about a new site that advocates for mutts, called, appropriately, Up With Mutts.
Whatever companion animal you decide on, please remember to acquire it from a trusted source and never from a puppy mill, pet store, or any large-scale breeding operation. Always get your new companion to the vet immediately for a thorough examination and to set up their shot schedule (that was my first stop even before I brought Marlowe home). Do your due diligence and get a healthy and happy companion that will be a part of your family for years to come.
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