VOICE FOR ANIMALS

Squalid, over-crowded, and devoid of kindness, mills are places where the animals become money making units. Animals, predominantly dogs, are continually bred so that their offspring, often already ill from their living conditions, can be sold to pet stores or unsuspecting customers.

What makes this situation even more tragic is that tens of thousands of animals are placed in shelters across Canada, and more than 40% of those animals will be euthanized (CFHS). The fact that animals are being bred into existence when our society refuses to care for the ones already living is due to selfishness and greed..

Voice for Animals' first piece of advice is to never buy an animal from a breeder or pet shop. Adopt only from shelters and rescues. There are a myriad of wonderful animals out there waiting to be adopted, and an adoption fee is a fraction of the cost of a "pure-breed". As well, shelter and rescue dogs, cats, and small animals predominantly have great dispositions, and also tend to be more robust.

Still want a pure-bred animal? Many pure-breeds end up in shelters around the country. Ask your local shelter or rescue organization if they keep a wait list for the breed of your choice.

Puppy mills are probably one of the most common type of mills in operation in the country right now. Here is how you can recognize and avoid financially supporting puppy mills:

• Never buy from a pet shop.

• Do not buy a puppy on Kijiji unless it’s listed under rescue organizations. Kijiji has become the place for puppy mills to sell dogs.

• Puppy mill breeders will often arrange to meet you at some other location to deliver the puppy because they want to keep what they are doing secret. If buying from a breeder, always pick the dog up at the breeder’s place and insist on seeing the facilities where the dogs are kept.

• Puppy mill breeders will have an excuse why you can’t see the mom. Insist on seeing the mother of the puppy and his/her litter mates.

• A facility calling themselves a registered breeder means absolutely nothing. The Canadian Kennel Club does not take any action against people who say their dogs are registered even though they aren’t.

• Puppy mills often sell puppies that are too young to be taken away from their mothers.

• Puppy mills often lie about vaccinations, vet checks etc. of their puppies. They usually cannot produce records from a licensed vet.

• Beware of breeders who sell “dogs du jour” such as miniature and T-cup breeds and other “fashionable” breeds.

• Their facilities are usually in out-of-the-way, hidden locations to prevent detection.