The definition of puppy mill according to Wikipedia- A puppy mill, sometimes known as a puppy farm, is a commercial dog breeding facility that is operated with an emphasis upon profits above animal welfare and is often in substandard conditions regarding the well-being of dogs in their care. Similar types of operations exist for other animals commonly kept as pets or used as feed for other animals.

We’ve all seen the commercials showing these terribly sad, poor dogs and cats in cages with Sarah McLachlan as the spokes person. Most of us, anyway. Our hearts break when we see it and we know that this is happening all over America. What can we do about it? The easiest thing for you to do is do not buy a puppy until extensive research has been done on the breeder. There are a lot of puppy “stores” that will tell you that they do not buy from puppy mills, but ask them for the address of the puppy’s breeder and go there. You need to see the surroundings of the puppy and meet the puppy’s parents. Any breeder that can’t allow this or any puppy “store” that cannot give you an address has something very shady is going on.

There are so many wonderful, adoptable dogs that need a home. My Mom, Vicki Lunceford adopted a Lhasa Apso from Atlanta Pet Rescue, Sassy, and she is a puppy mill rescue. She’s coming around very well, but she has a lot of issues that my Mom has had to find answers to. Before rescued, puppy mill dogs are kept in small cages and never let out, sometimes more than one per cage. This makes it more difficult to teach house training and leash training, among other learned behaviors. Patience and understanding are required to adopt one of these  dogs, but to see the pride on one of these dogs’ little faces when something finally clicks is priceless.

Below is a story that I found on the ASPCA site about a few rescued pups that need a home and some that have been adopted.

The Lucky 34—Meet Our Puppy Mill Survivors

On February 7, 34 dogs who once endured terrible living conditions in a notorious puppy mill operation in Holly Springs, MS, were transported to the Big Apple in search of new forever homes. The dogs, many of whom are small breeds, are not the cute, cuddly pups often displayed in pet shop windows, but mothers and fathers who were used as breeding stock at the puppy mill.

These special pups have spent their entire lives confined to tiny wire cages, which inhibit natural behaviors like running, playing and even stretching. Trading the stark environment of a puppy mill for novel sights, sounds and sensations can be tremendously overwhelming for these sheltered animals. Simple behaviors like potty training, sitting on laps or even walking on a leash are challenging activities. Ample recovery time helps, so too does the dedication of a very special adopter—one who will provide lots of love and unconditional acceptance.

Think you have what it takes to care for one of these special pooches? Here are a few of the extraordinary puppy mill survivors who are just waiting for laps to call their own.

Clementine

Check out teeny Clementine. She’s a bit of a nervous Nelly, but who can blame a girl? Clem needs an experienced adopter—are you that pro? If you can help our little Miss Sunshine come out of her shell and experience the world with freedom and love, you may be the perfect pet parent for her.

Lugini

Lugini is a sweet and shy Chihuahua boy with lots of love to give. He just needs a little time to get comfy—after all, he’s seen a lot in his short life. Like most puppy mill survivors, Lugini is a high flight risk as he startles easily and may bolt. It is wise to always keep him on a leash or enjoy playtime in a fenced-in yard. While a true work in progress, this special munchkin is bound to make you laugh and smile.

For more information about adopting one of these dogs, please visit our Adoption Center online and for expert tips on living with a puppy mill dog, visit ASPCA.org.

JUST ADOPTED!

Buffy

Buffy is a sensitive girl from Mississippi—a true diamond in the rough. A sweet little Rat Terrier, Buffy is healthy physically but fairly damaged emotionally. She lived for years in a mill churning out puppies for money. While she needs a little extra time to warm up to strangers, Buffy’s true colors were recently noticed by a visitor to our Adoption Center. We are happy to report this tiny pup is happily settling in to her new forever home!

Betty and Wilma

These sugary-sweet sisters endured some rough times at the Mississippi puppy mill before landing in the Big Apple—and their lack of experience shows. Both tend to lag a bit behind on walks—like most mill dogs, they have never experienced walking on a leash. And neither of the girls are potty trained—also common with mill dogs who have been forced to relieve themselves in their cages for years. Despite these minor setbacks, these two sisters wowed potential adopters with their sweet-as-pie kisses and have recently been adopted!

We have enslaved the rest of the animal creation, and have treated our distant cousins in fur and feathers so badly that beyond doubt, if they were able to formulate a religion, they would depict the Devil in human form.  ~William Ralph Inge, Outspoken Essays, 1922

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