What is a Puppy Mill?

"Underdog Rescue is a foster-based rescue organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and placing "underdogs" in the forever homes they deserve. We focus on animals who most need our help, especially Pit Bulls and Puppy Mill survivors."

So, what is a puppy mill you ask?  According to the ASPCA, a puppy mill is a large-scale commercial dog breeding operation that places profit over the well-being of its dogs—who are often severely neglected—and acts without regard to responsible breeding practices.  To me, the main difference between a breeder and a puppy mill is A) the amount of dogs and breeds which are bred and B) breeding for breed standards.  A reputable breeder will have one, maybe two types of dogs which they breed that will produce one or two litters per year.  A Puppy Mill has several and if it is one type, they have several momma dogs that produce several litters year round.  Puppy Mills also do not breed for breed characteristics or try to enhance the genetics of the puppies being born.  They will use the same momma dog over and over regardless of the fact that she may be producing puppies that are going to have genetic defects or issues later in life.  Breeders usually have the dogs live in their homes or barns with lots of human contact.  Puppy mill dogs are born and grow up in cages with little to no human interaction, they come not knowing how to go up or down stairs, they are shy, they have never seen a toy, and they usually like to chew on weird things, like their food bowl, because that is all they ever had for stimulation.

The pictures are horrific and I do not recommend you to look them up.  According to the ASPCA, "Puppy mills became more prevalent after World War II. In response to widespread crop failures in the Midwest, the United States Department of Agriculture began promoting purebred puppies as a fool-proof "cash" crop. Chicken coops and rabbit hutches were repurposed for dogs, and the retail pet industry—pet stores large and small—boomed with the increasing supply of puppies from the new "mills."Today, Missouri is considered the leading puppy mill state in the country. Over time, puppy mills have spread geographically. The highest concentration is in the Midwest, but there are also high concentrations in other areas, including Pennsylvania, Ohio and upstate New York. Commercial dog breeding is very prevalent among Amish and Mennonite farmers, with pockets of Amish dog breeders found throughout the country, including in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and parts of Wisconsin."  It is difficult to say how many puppy mills there are in the US because many operate without a license and the governmental oversight is simply not there.  The ASPCA estimates there are at least 2,000-10,000 puppy mills in the US.  THAT is a terrifying thought.

For more info - see http://www.aspca.org/fight-cruelty/puppy-mills/puppy-mill-faq

The reason  you will see many of our Underdogs come in as "Puppy Mill Studs or Puppy Mills Momma's" is because when the Puppy Mill can no longer produce puppies from the parents, they either euthanize them or send them to auction to see if anyone out there has a use for them. Rescues go to these auctions with the idea of rescuing these Momma and Stud dogs to show them a good life after 5+ years of being professional puppy makers.  If rescues do not go to these auctions, the dogs can be sold to other Puppy Mills where they will continue or start breeding if they are young.  That is why rescues will pay for puppies to get them out and stop this cycle  This is where I, and hopefully you, can come into play.  Foster homes are needed for this type of dog all the time.  They have lived in wire crates, eaten poor quality food, and are usually scared of humans.  As a foster, it is our job to show them the love they never received and the craziest part is - they are very accepting and change their mindset in a few short days to weeks!

 Ava - puppy mill Mama

 Beau - puppy mill Stud

Dyna - puppy mill Mama

Dixie - puppy mill mama

Please take a stand, educate yourselves and others on puppy mills, and do your research before purchasing a dog.  Just because it has "papers" does not mean it is not a puppy mill dog.

"It's a horrible existence for man's best friend"

For more details on Dog Auctions, see next post!

-Megan