Puppy Mill Protest, WI - Best Friends

[IRescue452]

I think those stupid protests bring more curious customers to the store.

They'd do a lot more good if all those people would work with the system to change laws instead of their circus act with picket signs.

[finn's mom]

I think if they educate even one person on the cruelty of puppy mills, and do so peacefully, I think the protests are worth it. There are more things that can be done, but participating in a peaceful protest is a lot better than not doing anything.

[Catty1]

I also think a lot of customers don't realize where the puppies come from, or pretend not to. Sure a law to shut down puppy mills is great - but cutting off or slowing down the demand will hit the mills in the pocketbook!

These stores could cooperate with local shelters. Many do.

I would hope Oprah's story has created a LOT of uproar.

[mrxmrx22]

just curious as i am ignorant and new to a lot of this. we went to puppy world to look at some dogs and it was major concern of ours that we didnt buy a dog from a puppy mill. i had asked where they get there pets from. and they said they get them from a network of small certified breeders. They come with papers etc and before i could mention it she said they don't deal with any puppy mills. so my question is what is the real story and since they come with papers doesn't the association that issues the papers check up on the breeders yearly? Has anything been proven that shows that they do get there dogs from mills? we never ended up getting our dog from there but before we saw this we were considering getting another one from there.

[IRescue452]

They absolutely use puppy mills. Unfortunately, the AKC and other kennel clubs do not check on the welfare of these dogs often enough, If enough complaints about a place come in they might check up, but they generally just don't care. A miller could even attach AKC papers to a mixed breed dog by lying about the parents and the kennel club would be none the wiser.

[Karen]

just curious as i am ignorant and new to a lot of this. we went to puppy world to look at some dogs and it was major concern of ours that we didnt buy a dog from a puppy mill. i had asked where they get there pets from. and they said they get them from a network of small certified breeders. They come with papers etc and before i could mention it she said they don't deal with any puppy mills. so my question is what is the real story and since they come with papers doesn't the association that issues the papers check up on the breeders yearly? Has anything been proven that shows that they do get there dogs from mills? we never ended up getting our dog from there but before we saw this we were considering getting another one from there.

To be able to tell if these pups are really from a puppy mill, ask the following questions:

Could I contact the breeder to meet the pup's parents?

Have this pup's parents have their hips/eyes certified?

I understand the breeder might not want calls from random strangers so you cannot give out their number, sure, could you have the breeder call me?

I would not feel comfortable getting any pup without knowing its origins. No store employee will say "oh, sure, they are puppy mill pups," but they will say they are purchased through a broker, or something like that that is a red flag.

[lizbud]

I remember several PT members went to a protest of a pet store in
Mass. that was a local outlet for puppy mill dogs. I really think these
protests serve to inform those who haven't learned of the horrors of
a puppy mill.

[IRescue452]

Actually, petland in my area said in the paper "the protesters brought in more business than ever". They thanked the protesters for attracting people and getting them to stop.