Follow us
Boarding · Grooming ·Training (540) 667-PETS
Country K9 Pet Resort & Spa
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Owners
    • Blog
    • Employment
    • Employee Login
    • Links
    • Rehoming your Dog
  • Boarding
    • Dog Boarding Experience
    • Vaccination Requirements
    • Canine Accommodations
    • Feline Accommodations
    • Other Pet Accommodations
    • Pricing
    • FAQs
    • Inclement Weather Policy
  • Grooming
    • Grooming
    • Grooming Terminology
    • Puppy's First Grooming
    • Matting
    • Don't Shave That Dog
  • Training
    • Agility
    • Board & Train
    • Training Facility
    • Training FAQs
  • Retail
  • Boarding Reservations
    • Making Reservations
    • Check-In/Check-Out
    • New Customer Reservation Request
    • Existing Customer Reservation Request
    • Payment Portal
    • Vaccination Record Upload
  • Rescues
  • Contact Us

What is a Puppy Mill?

8/7/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
A puppy mill is a large scale commercial dog breeding operation.  Hundreds of dogs are usually housed in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions without adequate veterinary care, food, water or socialization. 

Puppy mill dogs do not get to experience treats, toys, exercise or basic grooming.  Dogs are often kept in cages with wire flooring that injures their paws and legs and it is not unusual for cages to be stacked in columns. Female dogs are bred at every opportunity with little-to-no recovery time between litters and when they can no longer reproduce, they are often euthanized.  Breeding dogs at puppy mills might spend their entire lives outdoors, exposed to the elements, or crammed inside filthy structures where they never get the chance to breathe fresh air or see the sun.

Dogs are often bred with little regard for genetic quality.  Puppy mill puppies are prone to congenital and hereditary conditions.  These can include:
  • Epilepsy
  • Heart disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Musculoskeletal disorders (hip dysplasia, luxating patellas, etc.)
  • Endocrine disorders (diabetes, hyperthyroidism)
  • Blood disorders (anemia, Von Willebrand disease)
  • Deafness
  • Eye problems (cataracts, glaucoma, progressive retinal atrophy, etc.)
  • Respiratory disorders
Puppies often arrive in their new homes with diseases including:
  • Giardia
  • Parovirus
  • Distemper
  • Upper respiratory infections
  • Kennel cough
  • Pneumonia
  • Mange
  • Fleas
  • Ticks
  • Intestinal parasites
  • Heartworm
  • Chronic diarrhea
Puppies are also removed from their mothers and littermates at a young age so they often suffer from fear, anxiety and other behavioral problems.

There are an estimated 10,000 licensed and unlicensed puppy mills in the United States, in total selling more than 2 million puppies annually.  The vast majority of these dogs are sold to pet stores by dealers or brokers.  Avoid the temptation to "rescue" a puppy from a pet store, as this just puts money into the pockets of the puppy mill industry and ensures they will continue to breed dogs in inhumane conditions.  Adopt or find a responsible breeder!

0 Comments

    Archives

    May 2022
    November 2020
    July 2020
    April 2020
    November 2018
    October 2018
    April 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    July 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    June 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014

    Categories

    All
    Knowledge Base

    RSS Feed

This web site is © 2022 Country K9 Pet Resort & Spa. All rights reserved. Text, pictures, graphics, and HTML code are protected by US and International Copyright Laws, and may not be copied, reprinted, published, translated, hosted, or otherwise distributed by any means without explicit permission.

Country K9 Sitemap