Last week, the US Humane Society released its 7th annual list of the 100 worst puppy mills in the USA. For the 7th year, Missouri took first place. From April 17 2011, here’s what I wrote in the St. Thomas Dog Blog about state legislators overturning Proposition B. It was a law providing regulatory standards for one of the biggest industries in Missouri – dog breeding.
Missouri Puppy Mills – Business as usual? (2011)
Proposition B, setting rules for animal care by commercial dog breeders, last week was repealed by the Republican majority Missouri state government. Despite being voted into legislation in the last election, it now will be kept in place only if the Governor vetoes the state legislature action. (Also see my 2016 Prop B)
Breeding puppies for sale doesn’t have to be a cruel business. Many breeders breed dogs responsibly. They don’t breed females in every heat. Nor do they keep dogs in wire-bottomed stacked cages. They assess their breeding stock and use pedigrees to avoid congenital problems. They don’t flood the puppy market just because a movie created demand for a particular type of dog.
There’s nothing wrong with making a living from dogs, whether it’s in training, dog clothes manufacture or breeding. What’s wrong is not treating those animals – your capital investment – properly. What’s wrong is breeding without ensuring to the best of your ability that physical and temperamental problems are not passed on.
Responsible breeders should be able to do their business without harassment. If the animals are treated properly, as living, breathing sentient creatures, regulations about space, exercise, food and water shouldn’t be a burden for them. If providing decent housing and care is a burden, then there’s something wrong with the people’s business operation and ethos.
Several other states were watching to see what happened in Missouri, puppy mill capital of the US. If the repeal of Prop B occurs, you can bet your last puppy that they will be reluctant to introduce legislation designed to improve the lives of breeding dogs.
Also in Canada
Canada has puppy mills too. We have people in the breeding business who do not want government controls. We also have people trying to stop large- and small-scale puppy mills. Our governments are watching Missouri as well.
But there’s more than one way to skin a cat, so to speak. If government won’t regulate dog breeding and puppy mills, we can. Puppy mill operators won’t make money if people stop buying from them. That’s why most pet stores have stopped selling puppies – they come from backyard breeders or puppy mills. If no one buys them, the pet store is stuck with them. Not a position the store wants to be in.
However, letting rescue groups use that cage space to showcase available pets is a good corporate citizen act. It also has other benefits for the pet store. Animals are still there – a big drawing card to bring people in. Adopted pets will need food and supplies – available right there on the shelves. And the animals go back to the rescue group if they’re not adopted. Win-win-win.
Without pet stores, online venues like Kijiji and Craigslist have become the place to sell your “pure-bred” litter of Lab-Husky-onlymomknows pups. Please don’t buy them. Switch Kevin Costner’s Field of Dreams mantra around: if you don’t buy them, they won’t breed them.
Puppy pics
Yes, the puppies above are adorable. I hope they don’t end up unwanted in a pound. Both pictures are from Kijiji ads. The one on the left is a “lab/sheppard/collie/husky mix”. Those pups are selling for $200 and $250. On the right are “Boxer/Mastiff” pups selling for $400. Not cheap. Maybe these puppies are the result of one-off ‘accidents’. But if the mothers were spayed there would be no ‘accidents’. The top picture is from a Canadian Wheaten Terrier breeder site – showing the kind of situation to not buy a pup from. The middle picture I took nearby in SW Ontario. I see this cage, with rat terriers and other breeds of pups, every week.
Rat Terriers
10 May 2024This article sheds important light on the cruel reality of puppy mills in Missouri. It’s time to take action and put an end to this inhumane practice. – Nicole Bates
Dorothy
10 May 2024Hi Nicole, your lips to God’s – or legislators’ – ears! Thanks for writing, and for the link to your site. I had a look around all of MDogsW – a lot of good information.
Michell Weaver
3 Oct 2019We have to stop the sale of puppies in pet stores and online!! People please be active in stopping puppy mills. Educate, sign petitions, protest. Please don’t expect someone else to do it ALL!! Make your voice heard.
Dorothy
4 Oct 2019Yes, Michell, puppy mills and backyard breeders both. Education and legislation, yes, and also simply not buying pups from dubious sources. Thanks for writing.
Bill Wynne
16 Jul 2019Dorothy,
I would like to send you a couple of Smoky mementos.
Thank you always for posting about my Smoky of WWII who is much alive after 75 years. Please send me a snail mail address.
You will really like these.
Sincerely,
Bill
Dorothy
16 Jul 2019Hi Bill, thank you so much. I will email you.