Reprinted with permission by Robin L. Adams, President and Cofounder of Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue (DVGRR). Originally published in Golden Opportunities, quarterly newsletter published by DVGRR, April-May-June 2007. Web site: DVGRR.
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As many people are already aware, there are large corporations that do nothing but breed purebred dogs. They promote their large, clean facilities and show aerial views of their "plant" surrounded by acres and acres of land. These are typically Midwest operations that supply puppies for sale in pet stores.
At a recent trade show, one of the vendors asked as we walked by her booth, "Are you interested in learning about insurance for your puppy sales?" It appears that the mass breeding facilities (or puppy mills) have created a new market as the public is starting to hold them accountable for the puppies they sell.
When someone has puppy fever, it's almost impossible to discuss a logical purchase. Puppy purchases are based on emotion - you see that little ball of gold, find a face that says "I'm yours," and no amount of reason can change what is about to happen. This is what the mass breeders count on. But, to eliminate the supply, we must first eliminate the demand.
When I try to counsel someone looking for a puppy, I often tell them they must put blinders on when passing the pet store window, the farm with the sign outside, or the newspaper ad, "farm raised by loving family." Sure, these dogs usually cost around $400.00 compared to the $900.00 or more charged by a reputable breeder who is truly working to improve the breed. However, I hear story after story of families who have purchased a pet store or mill dog, only to incur enormous veterinary expenses due to the dog's genetic problems. We sometimes receive e-mails from families who have had to put their young dog down because they couldn't afford the surgery needed to correct dysplastic hips. Worse, the puppy (YES, the PUPPY!) viciously attacks the children. As a result, the puppy is usually euthanized and the family traumatized from what was supposed to be a treasured new member of the household. It is simply a case of pay now…or pay later.
Reputable breeders can be found through the parent club for each breed; ours is the Golden Retriever Club of America (GRCA). These breeders espouse a Code of Ethics mandated by the GRCA. Yes, these people ARE breeding with the hope of finding a show dog in the litter, meaning one that appears to have the best qualities of each parent and the bloodline. However, while there is no guarantee that a show prospect will emerge in the litter, ALL of the pups benefit from the careful, knowledgeable handling of the breeder. They are raised around everyday sounds like the banging of pots and pans, TV, kids running in and out of the house, etc. They are handled from the day they are born, experience car rides, and encounter everything critical during the "fear imprint period" of their first weeks of life. Everything the puppy mills or mass breeders FAIL to provide. Imagine your own children's early lives, using the popular formula of seven years in a dog's life equivalent too one year of human life. Imagine the life of a child who must endure seven years of no touching, no communication, and only food and water as sustenance.
We don't have to carry picket signs and march (although that does create public awareness). We can send a much stronger and resounding message by refusing to shop at any pet store that sells puppies (stores like PetSmart and Petco have dogs available for adoption and give back to shelters and rescue organizations, so do support THEM!!!) and put them out of business as soon as possible.
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