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What is a Puppy Mill?
The Canadian Kennel Club Policy Statement –
Definition of a Puppy Mill
(Effective March 2002)
"The term “Puppy Mill” generally refers
to a high-volume, sub-standard dog-breeding operation, which sells
purebred or mixed breed dogs, directly or indirectly to unsuspecting
buyers. Some of the characteristics common to puppy mills are:
(a) Sub-standard health and/or environmental issues;
(b) Sub-standard animal care, treatment and/or socialization;
(c) Sub-standard breeding practices which lead to genetic defects or
hereditary disorders;
(d) Erroneous or falsified certificates of registration, pedigrees
and/or genetic background.
Note: These conditions may also exist
in small volume or single breed establishments."
They sell primarily to retail pet shops (usually via a broker), but
occasionally sell directly to individual consumers. Dogs are bred
solely for profit, with no concern for their physical health or
psychological well-being - most are disease-ridden; all are
force-bred continuously. They often use "Kennels" or "Farms" in its
business name. Dogs' and puppies' are usually in squalid living
conditions and are off-limits to the public.
If
you think you have been to a mill or have seen substandard
conditions at a breeders establishment please call your local SPCA/Humane
Society IMMEDIATELY to report what you saw. Only witnessed
accounts can be reported.
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