Meet Monica today:
Hello to all pet parents! To those of you who have I have not had a chance to meet yet, my name is Monica, and I’m the groomer here at U of D! I have been in the industry for a few years now, and animals have become a huge part of my everyday, both in and out of work. In my spare time, I volunteer for a local animal rights group called ARFF [animal rights foundation of Florida]. The campaign which I’m most passionate about is the anti-puppy mill campaign, which kicks up right about this time of year, just before the holidays. So today, I’d like to share with you some information on bringing home a new furry friend for the holidays!
To start off with, for those who are not familiar, a puppy mill is a mass breeding facility that usually houses hundreds of dogs for breeding. These facilities are technically considered factory farming by the USDA, and so they have very lax regulations on conditions in which these animals are kept and maintained. The animals are kept in crates, usually outside, and are either kept multiple dogs to a kennel, or individually in a very very small kennel. With little to no human interaction, the animals are very fearful of humans, and if they make it off the mill, have a hard time fitting in to a family environment. Also lacking animal socialization, the animals become fearful or timid, anxious, and sometimes even aggressive towards other animals. The animals receive very little veterinary care, and usually suffer from chronic hereditary disease. Their food and water sources are extremely limited, and they have never heard of a treat or a toy. Both male and female dogs are bred continuously until their fertility wanes, and then the dog is either killed, abandoned, sold, or traded to another mill. Life is very dismal for these animals. Ultimately, with dogs being bred this way, the end result is hundreds thousands of dogs every year with chronic health issues, behavior issues, and a shocking number of dogs being abandoned or euthanized. Common congenital health issues from puppy mills include:
Epilepsy
Heart disease
Kidney disease
Musculoskeletal disorders ( hip displaysia, luxating patella, etc.)
Endocrine disorders (diabetes, hyperthyroidism)
Blood disorders ( anemia, Von Willebrands disease)
Deafness
Eye problems (cataracts, glaucoma, progressive retinal atrophy, etc.)
Respiratory disease
On top of that, the puppies also arrive at their new homes, or at pet stores with a variety of other health issues. Some of which can be life threatening to a pup. These include, but are not limited to:
Giardia
Parvovirus
Distemper
Upper respiratory infections
Kennel cough
Pneumonia
Mange
Fleas & Ticks
Intestinal parasites
Heartworm
Chronic diarrhea
Statistically, the holidays are the time in which people purchase new puppies the most. Not to say that buying a puppy for the holiday is wrong, but there are a few different ways to go about bringing home a new friend. Here are a few ways to avoid the mill, and bring home a healthy pup!
GO LOCAL! Check your local rescues. This is by far, my most recommended way to find your new pet. There are dozens or local rescue groups, and many are breed specific, if you have a certain type of pet in mind. Most local rescue groups even have puppies for adoption, if you’re looking for a puppy. Also check your local shelters and SPCA. Another great resource is petfinder.com. This website pools together different dogs from rescue groups in the area, and you can search for specific breeds as well.
DO YOUR RESEARCH! If you are considering going the breeder route, make sure you have found a responsible breeder. Never purchase from a breeder that will not let you visit the facility. Being able to see the animals parent’s and the environment they are raised in is crucial. Be on alert for any breeder that is unwilling to let your tour their location and meet the other animals. Be sure to check the health of all animals kept on the facility, from the parents, to the other pups, to the condition of the breeder’s personal dogs. You can never be too careful. Ask which veterinary they use, and if you can have the phone number to reference them and see if the animals have had regular medical check ups. On the flip side to that, most responsible breeders will want to meet you! A breeder who truly cares for the animals will want to interview you, and get a feel for your home environment. They want to be sure that the pet will have the best quality of life possible.
AVOID “SHOP ADOPTING”! Although that puppy in the window at the pet store may be super cute, and as smitten as you may be with it, purchasing from a pet store just puts your money right back into the pockets of the puppy mill owners. Not only that, but it also opens up another free kennel space for another puppy mill puppy to be sold to another unsuspecting customer. Even though your intentions for “rescuing” this pet store pup are in the right place, the best way to sock it to the puppy mills is to never give them your money. And if you do buy from a pet store, ensure that they show you the paper work on the dog’s origins. If they are hesitant to show you the papers, or the kennel is from out of state and mentions a broker service, the dogs are more than likely from a mill. Although most pet stores say that their animals come from breeders, make sure you ask them which breeder the dog is from, and if you can contact them. Most employees typically are unaware of where the dogs are really being transported from, so you’ll have to be proactive about finding out.
AVOID INTERNET SHOPPING! The internet has made everything so convenient these days, you can even purchase your pet online, and have it shipped to your local airport! However, behind the nice looking html, usually is an ominous reality. Most internet breeders are infact puppy mills. And these particular mills are the worst because they actually have less regulations to follow than those that sell to pet stores. Large scale breeding facilities that broker to pet stores have to be licensed and inspected by the USDA because they are considered wholesale operations. Those that sell directly to customers, ie: internet breeders, do not have to be licensed or inspected, or adhere to the Animal Welfare Act or any federal humane care standards. Not only that, but there is no way possible for you to see the condition of the animals, or meet their parents. You really have no idea what you’ll be getting, just a vague idea from the picture on the website.
These are just a few things to keep in mind while shopping around for your next family member. The most important thing is to do your homework. Know what you want from the dog, and what works for your lifestyle before getting one. Know where the animal is coming from, and get to know it’s history a bit if possible. Look at all your options, be patient, and avoid impulse purchasing a pet.
Have a fabulous holiday season! Good luck to all looking for your next little bundle of pride and joy! I look forward to meeting those of you whom I haven’t yet, and remember to always dog responsibly!
-Monica
Best in Show, Orlando Dog Groomer.... Monica Johnson
