| Did you know that one dog and her offspring | | | | The puppies from these puppy mills end up at |
| can produce about 67,000 puppies in a | | | | pet shops. One way you can help put puppy |
| six-year time? Considering that shocking | | | | mills out of business is to not buy puppies |
| figure it's not surprising that about 4-5 | | | | from any pet shop. Another way to help is to |
| million dogs and cats are euthanized each | | | | support any legislation your state or country |
| year in the United States shelters. | | | | tries to pass to shut down puppy mills. |
| | | | |
| One of the reasons for all these unwanted | | | | What can you do personally? If you have any |
| dogs is puppy mills. If puppy mills could be | | | | dogs make sure they are fixed so they can't |
| shut down there would be a significant | | | | add to the overpopulation. |
| reduction in the number of unwanted pets. | | | | |
| | | | Other ways you can help is to volunteer at |
| The breeders at these puppy mills are often | | | | your local shelter or with a dog rescue. |
| kept in cages that are more like chicken | | | | Perhaps you want to foster a dog or several |
| coops than dog kennels. They are often | | | | dogs. |
| de-barked by shoving a metal pipe down their | | | | |
| throat and banging it with a hammer to | | | | You can also provide unwanted dogs with a |
| rupture their vocal chords. The life these | | | | good home by adopting them from a dog rescue |
| dogs live is unimaginable. | | | | or from an animal shelter. Once home, give |
| | | | the dog time to get accustomed to his new |
| Females are bred over and over again until | | | | surroundings. Let him be inside with the |
| they become too old or develop some health | | | | family. |
| condition that prevents them from being of | | | | |
| any use to the owner, at which time they are | | | | If you don't already have a doggie door, get |
| often euthanized at home by whatever means | | | | one. And if you don't have a fenced yard |
| the owner chooses. | | | | (which shelters and rescues usually require) |
| | | | put one up, even if it's just a small section |
| The fortunate ones end up at dog rescues. The | | | | outside the doggie door. This will make it |
| breeder, after years of getting all the | | | | easier to housebreak a dog that has never |
| puppies he can from her, will offer her for | | | | been trained. |
| sale in a local paper or online. Some rescues | | | | |
| will watch for these ads and ask if the | | | | To adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue is a |
| breeder will offer to relinquish her to the | | | | wonderful thing to do, but first be certain |
| rescue to be adopted out or ask if the | | | | you are ready for a new dog. Read up on how |
| breeder will let the rescue buy the dog for a | | | | to take care of a dog or puppy. Read up on |
| lower price (rescue funds are most always | | | | the breed you want. Get some dog training |
| scarce). | | | | materials (Cesar Millan is highly |
| | | | recommended). |
| Rescues make this attempt to get the female | | | | |
| dogs out of the breeding circuit, spayed, and | | | | Adopting a dog is a big responsibility that |
| into a good, loving home. Oftentimes, if the | | | | should be for the life of the dog. The same |
| rescues can not intercept these dogs, they | | | | thing goes for adopting a kitten or cat. |
| are sold to another party who will continue | | | | These creatures depend on us to take care of |
| to breed the dog. | | | | them, and right now there is a lot we can do |
| | | | to improve their plight. |