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What is a Puppy Mill??

As many of you know, I am passionate about animal rights, and I am involved in numerous programs. One near and dear to my heart is the fight against puppy mills. Over the last couple of years, I have been surprised by the amount of individuals who simply have never heard of this term. In fact, my own husband didn't know what it was until my quest began.

With that in mind, please read below to become a bit more educated on the topic. Also, please go to http://www.nowisconsinpuppymills.com or http://husu.org for more information. Or, email me! I would be more than happy to chat with you. Please, do not purchase your pet through a breeder or pet store. Instead, adopt from your local animal shelter. Also, look for future puppy mill posts from me in the future. Together, we can make a difference!

Nervous dogs from a "kennel liquidation" sit in wire cages, waiting for their turn to be be sold at auction. They haven't known anything but such cages their entire lives, and likely never will. They will never have a chance to run in the grass or play or enjoy the company of the humans their puppies are being produced to please.

BUT THAT'S OK, says the largest breeder in Wisconsin, because dogs don't miss what they don 't know. "These dogs all have their little dog family, their pack, in that pen. . .That 's all they know and they like it there. Dogs, if they 're always raised with dogs, they don 't want to fool with people. These dogs enjoy their life the way it is."

IS THAT OK WITH YOU?

IT'S NOT OK WITH US!

A Puppy/Pet Mill Is (short version):

Anyplace that animals are kept in cramped cages or pens like chickens, and/or forced to endure physical abuse in many forms, poor food and not enough of it, filthy conditions, constant breeding, little attention - conditions that, as the old saying goes, "you wouldn't keep a dog in" - so that their owner can make more money from them, is a MILL.

Doesn't make any difference whether there is one breeding female or 1,000; whether the animals are dogs, or cats, birds, hamsters, lizards, or guinea pigs; if their sole purpose is to make money for their owners and their treatment isn't up to even the barest standards of common-sense decency, it's a MILL.

And, as always, if you need real estate assistance, please don't hesitate to contact me at kjohnston@remax.net. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you in the purchase or sale of your next home!

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Posted by Kristin Johnston, Remax Realty Center, Realtor, Waukesha and Milwaukee Counties on 12/22/2008 05:00 PM

Comments (33)

Puppy Mills in the ActiveRain Channel

puppymills, pets, peta, kristin johnston, realtor, waukesha, dog lovers

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Post is included in group: Realtors®
Post is included in group: Real Estate Professionals
Post is included in group: PETS ARE PEOPLE TOO
Post is included in group: Pet Friendly Real Estate
Post is included in group: Active Rain Animal Rescue

33 Comments on What is a Puppy Mill??

DEC

Saturday I drove by a pet store that is part of a chain (franchise) that is / may be supplied by puppy mills and there was a protest going on. At all the entrances to the strip mall where the pet store is there were people with placards saying NOT to buy puppies from the store because they are from "puppy millls." I think the focus was do not buy a puppy for Christmas from this store.

There are a lot of puppy mills in the state of Ohio.

I grew up in Waukesha.

Kristin

I am very proud of you for being an animal activist and for all the volunteering you do for the animal shelter. The World needs a lot more people like you my friend.

Sincerely

Tom Braatz

Good blog. I breed my Yorkie but not in the fashion described by you in this blog. My dogs are loved and a big part of the family. Alomost every night, they both come and lay on my lap when I'm relaxing watching tv. I's hard to imagine that people could treat any animal like this

Tony Car, Big Bear REO

I had to click to see if Brian is in Missouri after watching a video about puppy mills.

Maureen: I am so happy to hear that the National Protest Puppy Mill day (12/20) was a success in so many areas, including yours! I understand that Ohio does also have quite the puppy mill problem. Hopefully legislation will pass sometime soon putting an end to it. I have lived in Waukesha for over 10 yrs and love it. Where did you live? Take care!

Tom, the world needs more people like you too. I can't explain how thankful I am for your help and guidance! I REALLY appreciate it!!

Tony, thanks for your comment. I am glad to hear your fur babies sleep with you at night! Mine do too! Yes, it is unfathomable to think people consider dogs as livestock, or even less. I hope things will change for the better soon. Take care and thanks for loving your animals. They are lucky to have you!

Brian--yes, I know your area is full of puppy mills. You are so right on in your comments! And, that is another problem...the internet has even less regulation than the states against puppy mills. In fact, many of the breeders/and or puppy millers turn to the internet and make even more profit in doing so. Dispicable! Thanks for your comment and for educating folks around you!

It was national! We were on our way to MI, I was tweeting (Twitter) and I could see some tweets about the protest using the one stores name. I was focused on the one retailers name though, didn't realize it was a protest that encompassed more.

I grew up on the north side (I think)? Off Pewaukee Rd, just north (?) of Moreland Blvd, Right across the street from Tom Braatz.

Maureen: Was the chain Petland by chance? That was the one me and about 20 other activists chose to protest in our state. I didn't know you knew Tom Braatz--he has been indispensible..what a wealth of knowledge huh? I moved from First Weber after 8 years over to Remax this year, at the same office Tom is at. Small world! I live off of Grandview/Hwy T in Waukesha. :-)

Petland. The company is based in OH south of Columbus. "each store independently owned and operated" I caught a bit about it when HSUS came out with their report in November, how many of their pups are from puppy mills. I did not know they were a national franchise until this weekend. Years ago I used to go play with the puppies at a Petland in Columbus, before I heard the puppy mill rumors.

My dogs is a mutt from the pound.

Kristin, we do not condone 'puppy farms'. A very bad way to breed dogs in our opinion. We have not bought or looked for a puppy in over 13 years, but sadly our girls are getting on. That said, we are very particular of where we get our little ones from. While some could look at purchasing from a puppy farm as a rescue, it also supports their exhistence.

Maureen...yup, thought it was Petland...That franchise has GOT to go under! I am glad you saw the investigation on HSUS! I am also happy you adopted from a shelter...all 4 of my pets came from a shelter, and I wouldn't do it any other way! At least they are socialized. I volunteer at a shelter usually once a week and I socialize the kitties! Thanks for being you!

Tim and Pam--- Please look into your local shelter, or even petfinder.com for rescue groups of a specific breeed. You would be surprised on the number of "purebreed" animals that are in shelters. They just need a chance. Keep in touch!

Thanks for writing about this --- it is not right and with people like you speaking out perhaps it will be eventually stopped.

DEC

Interestingly, California passed a proposition this past November that gave lots of rights to animals but chose to take away rights from a certain segment of the human population. Really weird. I love cats and dogs, and all pets really, but I'll put people rights above pet rights any day of the week.

All my dogs and cats have always been adopted from animal shelters.

I just finished watching Anderson Cooper on CNN. Apparently the Sports Illustrated issue coming out shortly has as its cover story what happened to the 52 dogs rescued from Michael Vick's dog fighting operation.

Russel, Thanks for reading my posts. I am very aware of the CA Proposition and was sooooo pleased that your state passed it this November. All of us animal lover and activists sincerely hope the rest of the nation follows your lead and passes similar (or even better) legislation soon. I too am disappointed that CA did not pass the other legislation for human rights/right to marry/etc.

Great job on adopting your pets from shelters. It is the only way to go! Thanks too for the heads up on the Vick story (which of course I have followed and hope he rots). I will certainly be telling everyone to read it. Take care....

BOb and Carolin: Thanks for your kind words.....you too can make a difference and raise awareness on this subject. Thanks for reading! :-)

Over the county line into Lancaster, this is huge problem here. But there are some good breeders.

Janice, Yes, I know Lancaster is one of the worst/notorious areas. You are correct about their being some reputable breeders, although I still believe in shelter animals first and foremost :-) Take care!

Kristin, If you've ever tried to sell a property after a puppy mill has been there, you know how disgusting it can be...

Thanks for getting the word out. We just picked up a boxer puppy from a friend who bred there dog. The conditions were great and the puppies are well taken care of. I wouldn't purchase a puppy or other dog from a chain store.

Hey, Kristin. Either PETA or the ASPCA was advocating euthanasia for all the Michael Vick dogs rather than retraining them. Granted the breeds are aggressive breeds, but that's no reason to summarily put them down.

Paul, thank goodness I have not had to sell a former puppy mill. I couldn't imagine the horror, and don't think I could do it!! Thanks for the comment.

Integrity....thanks for your comment! Glad to hear you wouldn't purchase a pet from a petstore!

Russel...I have not heard that and can't imagine them advocating such things! Pitbulls get such a bad rap, I agree, and are some of the most loyal and affectionate animals out there!!

JAN

Hi Kristin:

Keep up your quest! You have my support and help..100%!!!

ToulaRosebrock.com - DianeTurton.net

Thanks Toula!!!

Thank you for all of your hardwork! All of the fur-babies you save our thankful as well as I!

Amber, what a thoughtful thing to say. I am sure you do alot for animals too! Thanks and I look forward to getting to know you better this year and beyond! Take care...

FEB

I'm glad that you are doing what your doing!! We need more people like you!!

What a sweet thing to say Jenette...you must be good too, since you read the post!!

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