My awakening to the horrors of puppy mills began in the summer of 2001 with a widely covered story in the St. Louis media. The Missouri Humane Society had conducted several raids on substandard breeding facilities in the state, and was currently caring for several hundred dogs at its shelter while they awaited the outcome of legal proceedings against the breeders. They needed supplies and volunteers to help care for these pathetic little animals who had spent their lives in dire circumstances. I had taken a break from a corporate career and as a dog lover I felt this was a good opportunity to get involved so I went to the shelter with a donation and volunteered my services.
Initially, it was just the staff looking after all the little survivors, but it was hard not to be shocked by their stories, especially after seeing some of the footage from the raids. Adult dogs in puppy mills are used strictly for breeding purposes and do not receive even the most basic of care. They spend their lives in overcrowded wire cages, with inadequate food, water, sanitation, and veterinary services. They never socialize with people, they never go outside to exercise or play, they never receive affection or attention.
These dogs spend their lives in these cages, which are often stacked on top of each other, forcing the animals to live in their own filth along with the urine and feces of other dogs around them. Most suffer from a host of parasites and illnesses, including chronic eye and ear infections, fleas and ticks, matted fur, open and untreated wounds, and the like. At one of the hatcheries raided that summer, a poor little puppy had bitten off his leg due to the stress of his surroundings…just an indication of the horrors of that particular puppy mill.
Why are these animals subjected to such an atrocious life? The reason is the profit on the part of the breeders. These dogs exist to have puppies, which are then sold at pet stores and online sites across the country. People don’t always understand that those cute “purebred” puppies for sale in stores are often the product of puppy mills. Not only do these buyers contribute to the proliferation of puppy mills, but the puppies themselves are often inbred, diseased, and suffer from a host of genetic defects. Once adult dogs are no longer useful for breeding, they suffer even more… they are killed, dumped, or sold, often for laboratory research.
Fortunately, the public is paying more attention to the plight of these dogs and various initiatives are underway to put an end to them. States are enacting more stringent laws to regulate breeding facilities.
Organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States and the Best Friends Animal Society continue to push for legislation at the national level. Big chains like PetSmart and Petco no longer sell puppies, instead focusing on adoptions through local shelters. These are all positive steps towards eliminating puppy mills, but there is still a long way to go.
Four months after the raids during the summer of 2001, several hundred small dogs were finally given to the Humane Society and were available for adoption. Most of his medical problems had been treated and his health had at least improved. Shelter staff and volunteers were offered the first opportunity to apply for these unfortunate animals. I had been considering adding a second dog to my own family and felt I was in a good position to provide a safe, loving and somewhat knowledgeable home for one of the rescued dogs. I looked at them again… how many sad little faces! Some were friendlier than others, coming to the front of their enclosures to visit. Many more were shy and withdrawn, hiding as far back as possible or sitting indifferent to any attempt to approach them.
I was attracted to a one and a half year old silver toy poodle, a girl whom the staff had named “Sylvia”. While she wasn’t friendly or approachable, she wasn’t cowering either, and I felt she might be a good match for my eleven-year-old silver male poodle, Tiny. She didn’t seem to have any major health issues, but she definitely needed fixing! Although her fur was silver, the fur on her legs was brown, due to a combination of dirt stains and constant licking due to stress. I filled out the adoption application and was approved several days later. Once she was spayed and vaccinated, the staff contacted me to let me know that she could go home.
I arrived at the shelter wearing a collar and a dog tag with her new name “Sylvie”. A staff member brought it to me and placed it on the counter, where she carefully avoided eye contact with anyone. We headed home, neither of us having any idea how we were going to adjust to each other. I was curious though, she stood on my lap during the ride home and looked out the window. I thought that was a good sign.
Once we got home, and Tiny’s initial introductions were completed without incident, I took her outside. She clearly didn’t understand what grass or freedom of movement was all about, and every time the wind blew, she sat as if she was scared. It was several days before she could work up the courage to be in the same room with me… I watched her watch me from the corner, considering her options, while Tiny cuddled up with me on the couch. I put up a big playpen next to my bed, so she could be in the room with us at night and still have her own safe (and cage-free!) spot. It was several weeks before she learned to walk on a leash, and at least that long before she considered me her friend. I let her set the pace; after all, she needed to learn that I offered good things and love instead of terror.
I worked with a certified animal behaviorist who had experience with puppy mill dogs to help us all adjust to life together. He told me at one point that most of these little survivors would never be “normal” dogs, but that once they’d been in a home twice as long as they’d spent in the puppy mill, they were probably as normal as anyone else. time they would be.
Even now, eight years later, Sylvie still shows remnants of her horrible start in life. Most dogs will instinctively avoid relieving themselves in their sleeping areas, but since these dogs live their entire lives in a dirty cage, they really don’t have a choice. Therefore, he will never be fully potty trained, even though he has improved a lot. She has a tendency to “hog” food from her…I will find parts of meals and treats carefully hidden between sofa cushions and bedding…like she still isn’t 100% sure there will be other food later. She has an incredibly cute, sweet and playful personality when she is with people she knows and trusts, but she is withdrawn and doesn’t make eye contact with anyone new. Her philosophy seems to be “if I don’t look at you, you might not realize I’m here and you won’t bother me.”
Sylvie is one of the lucky ones. Aside from her little behavioral quirks, she has been quite healthy and has adjusted to life in a loving home. Many more of these dogs have serious ongoing problems, and the families who love and care for them are true heroes.
How can you help take down puppy mills? Don’t buy puppies from pet stores, flea markets, online, or on the side of the road. If you are buying a purebred puppy, check with the breeder to make sure they are reputable and loving people. If possible, you should visit the breeder’s facility to ensure that the parents and puppies are present and well cared for. A reputable breeder will probably ask you to meet more requirements than you ask of them! Plus, shelters are full of wonderful pets in need of homes…and about 25% of shelter dogs are purebreds! Consider adopting instead of buying. The only way we’re going to end puppy mills for good is if people stop supporting them financially. Please help stop the unnecessary suffering of these animals.