Monday Author: Susanne Skinner
There are millions of pet lovers and owners out there and I am one of you. But there are also people who purchase dogs and cats without understanding the financial and emotional costs of owning them. Sooner or later, these animals become rescues.
They end up in the local pound or shelter because they had owners who could not speak the language of their pet and were unwilling to learn how to communicate with them. They either grew tired of trying or would not take the time to understand what their pet needed. As Barbara Woodhouse once said, there are no bad dogs, only inexperienced dog owners.
Humans forget they are dealing with an animal. When the dog fails to live up to the photo in the magazine or image in their minds, they assume it is the animal that is flawed and get rid of it. They do not concern themselves with what happens to that pet once it becomes someone else’s responsibility.
According to the World Animal Foundation, approximately 6.3 million animals enter U.S, shelters yearly, down from the 6.5 million animals reported by the ASPCA in 2017: 3.3 million dogs and 3.2 million cats. Not all of them can be saved; 2.7 million are euthanized every year.
Puppy Mill Cruelty
There are an estimated 15,000 puppy mills in the U.S. alone. These are mass-production factories where dogs are forced to produce litter after litter of puppies. When the breeding dogs can no longer maintain a high level of productivity, they are destroyed.
Puppy mills are the largest and most systemic form of animal cruelty in this country. They contribute to pet overpopulation and cause innumerable dogs a lifetime of abuse and suffering in overcrowded and inhumane conditions.
Despite the fact that this treatment borders on the unspeakable, what they are doing is perfectly legal.
Hundreds, sometimes thousands of dogs per facility live in cramped and unsanitary conditions without temperature control, sufficient food, water, grooming, socialization, or veterinary care. Puppy mill dogs live their entire lives with no human companionship, toys, exercise or comfort of any kind. They suffer from social, emotional, and physical conditions, including genetic disorders and deformities.
Puppy mills supply 99 percent of the dogs sold in pet stores. Mill owners increasingly advertise and sell through the Internet and newspapers, misrepresenting themselves as a reputable business. The largest concentration of these mills can be found in Pennsylvania and Missouri. These inhumane organizations chose profit over animal welfare and must be systematically put out of business.
Madonna of the Mills is a documentary about one woman’s crusade to put an end to them. It follows Laura, an office manager from Staten Island, who vowed to save as many of these breeding dogs as she possibly could. This film is hard to watch. There is nothing left to the imagination as the camera takes you inside this industry.
Laura has personally rescued over 2,000 dogs from Amish and Mennonite farmers in Pennsylvania.
A Three-Dog Tale
Dachshunds have been members of our family for many years. Our first, Chance, came from a reputable breeder. He had the qualities and temperament you’d expect from an established breeder of AKC-registered dogs.
Our second addition came from a misplaced desire to provide companionship for Numero Uno. It was flawed thinking to be sure, but we were blinded by the face that looked back at us from a litter of dachshunds in a puppy store. He was a chocolate dapple with one blue eye and big floppy ears. We later learned the eye color was a genetic defect.
This store was a front for puppy mills, masquerading as the real deal by claiming to represent breeders in the local area. Ignorance is our only excuse.
Compared to our first dog, this one was different. He was just as lovable, but as he grew we could tell something wasn’t right. When the store was shut down two years later, followed by an article in our local paper, we knew the truth.
Once educated, we became crusaders. Our third dog was a rescue from Hearts United for Animals, an organization that is dedicated to puppy-mill rescue. HUA also provides lifetime sanctuary for rescued animals that, for many reasons, are not suitable for adoption.
Adopt a Pet
Never purchase an animal from a pet store!
Google “animal rescue” and you will see millions of search results. No matter where you live there is a pet shelter or rescue organization. If you are thinking of getting a pet, I encourage you to start there. Today only about 15 percent of people with pets in the U.S. adopted them, leaving many loving and deserving dog and cats behind.
Rescue organizations work to prevent abuse and treat its results. Overpopulation is a major cause of animal neglect, and many of them offer community education programs that include spay and neuter days. There are also breed-specific rescue organizations with volunteers and transportation networks across the United States.
Rescuing an animal from a shelter is saving a life. There is usually a modest adoption fee which includes vaccinations and spaying or neutering. Most shelters and rescue groups offer support services such as training and medical care for the adopted animal. Every animal adopted from a shelter (whether it is a no-kill or not) will help put a puppy mill out of business.
If you are searching for a cause to lend your voice to, or looking for a volunteer opportunity check out your local animal shelter. If your heart and home have room for a pet, consider adopting. Rescue dogs and cats can make incredible transformations when they are adopted into loving homes.
Thank you for writing this article and sharing your story. It is so important for everyone to be aware that puppy mills promote animal abuse, neglect, and pet homelessness. As infuriating as it is, I am glad you are spreading the word to help fight our our dogs!!
Thank you for bringing this desperately needed attention to your blog! Here in Pennsylvania, the majority of the puppy mills are in Lancaster County and over 90% of them are Amish and Mennonite. We are also dealing with a number of backyard breeders who are adding to the problem. The problem here in PA as well as other states where farming is a major part of life are the AG laws. Agriculture laws consider livestock property. That means that ANY animal, on a farm, is property. The laws here only require that there is shelter (adequate or not) food and water. These poor dogs are made to produce 3 litters a year. They are simply money makers to these (insert explicative of your choice here). That money relates to over $300,000 a year. EACH MILL. TAX-FREE, Because they are exempt. Yes. You read that right. Amish and Mennonites can make tax free money off their farms because of their “religion”. I was shocked to learn that one.
If you are having trouble caring for your pet, google rescues and shelters in your area. We have a network of volunteers and professionals who can help you keep your pet safe and happy and a part of your family. If you need spay/neuter there are plenty of low-cost options available from as low as $20. Pet Smart gives one million dollars every year to help neuter ferals and strays. They spread it out over all states. Usually only one city per state. They do this in April/May so be sure to keep an eye out for where it may be in your state. Last year we did this all month long with our volunteers and spayed/neutered 228 cats through our TNR program FREE thanks to Pet Smart. You don’t have to be a rescue to get this.
Your local AG center, here in PA it’s either the Ag store or Tractor Supply Store, will have a low-cost vaccination day. It’s every other Sunday here. Before we opened our rescue or even got into rescue, we went the low-cost avenue. We got 3 dogs 3 cats and 4 kittens that we found while hiking in the woods of all places, up to date on shots, treated for ear mites and fleas, wormed and micro chipped all for $470. The kittens were then taken to a low-cost spay/neuter and taken care of for $35 each.
My best friend Rebecca Hetherington and I run Wanna-Be Pet Rescue in Mount Carmel, PA. You can contact us on our FB page. We answer every question and we are working on getting a Q & A corner so folks can look up FAQ’s and get answers quickly.
If you are thinking of helping a local shelter or rescue we have a list of things you may already have on hand. Google rescues and shelters in your zip code and help them out in any way you can. Even if all you can do is stop by and pet a few. They need socialization always!
Thanks again Susanne!
Thank you for providing this excellent information, Rebecca. I was shocked to learn about the Amish/Mennonite connection because I equated pacifism with kindness to animals. Boy, was I wrong.