In a prior post was a case of a dog that had been rescued from a puppy mill after 8 years of “service.” I thought it might be informative to say a little more about what a puppy mill is. I am sure there is variation but the ones I have seen are basically dogs in small cages where they live 24 hours a day, much like rabbits are chickens are caged.
One year in veterinary school I worked weekends at a chicken ranch, earning money for tuition. It was an experience not forgotten. The hundreds of chickens in small cages off the ground, inside buildings – where they would never see the sun or touch the ground – I came to realize had become mostly insane. Their screaming and aggressive behavior I could not interpret any other way.
When I later saw puppy mills, or pictures of them, it reminded me of the time working in the chicken ranch. The dogs are in small cages off the ground, either inside a building or outside in the elements. They live their lives there, never wandering, never sniffing about, never exploring, never having anything like a dog’s life. Their entire existence is based on the production of puppies – one pregnancy after another.
Does this sound horrible to you? It does to me, so much so that my mind cannot tolerate the images very long. Yet the fact is that this is an extensive business. It is estimated that there are 10,000 puppy mills in the US. Why is this done? Very simple, it is a way to have income. It is really not different than raising rabbits or chickens for market (which is also a very unpleasant experience for the rabbits and chickens). People make good money selling these puppies to pet stores.
There are many people trying stop this practice and I will even mention, at the end, a place you can report a puppy mill so that conditions will be investigated. But this practice will never end unless we change. What do I mean by that? Simply this – there are ideas we have, in our heads, that support these practices and unless these ideas change, so that our cultural expectations are changed, it will go on just as it has. What ideas are these?
- Animals are property, can be bought and sold.
- Animals do not have souls, are not aware of their conditions and thus can be treated in any way we please.
- Animals are possessions. They can be obtained, then kept and used in almost any way we choose.
Of course there are limits. We cannot treat them cruelly, or more accurately, we cannot treat them cruelly where that can be observed. There are laws. But there are also laws that uphold the position that animals have in our society – that they are property in the same way is our car, our house, our furniture. I really don’t see any way this situation can change until we come to the point that we no longer think of animals in this way. Do you?
Puppy Mill Tip Line, answered by Tia Pope of the Humane Society of the United States: 1-877-MILL-TIFF.
Richard Pitcairn, DVM, PhD
You are right! Animals are so much more than property!
One of the ways we can change this is NOT to buy dogs or cats from pet stores but rather to rescue the ones we already have in shelters. AND, SPAY & NEUTER! If we stop believing that we must own the latest fad in cute pets, stop shopping for “pure breeds”, and take responsibility for & care for what we have already produced, then the demand will go down & the supply should go down also.
Yes, there are too many dogs and cats for the possible homes for them. I think this is an unclear area in our culture, as dogs and cats are considered commodities as well as companions. So they are bought and sold, used to make money. Like you, I would much prefer we address this overpopulation with planning for long term management so there is as little suffering for them as possible.
With best wishes,
Dr. Pitcairn
One of the ways we can change this is NOT to buy dogs or cats from pet stores but rather to rescue the ones we already have in shelters. AND, SPAY & NEUTER! If we stop believing that we must own the latest fad in cute pets, stop shopping for “pure breeds”, and take responsibility for & care for what we have already produced, then the demand will go down & the supply should go down also.
I’m caring for 11 or so cats that wound up in my yard and chose to stay. All are free to come and go and all but one tough to trap tom are spayed or neutered. Half are ferals that were given just one rabies vaccine. After 6 disease-free years it is clear that these are the healthiest cats in the neighborhood, with shining coats and no signs of problems. But more recently the spay/neuter community cat program has been providing more aggressive conventional veterinary treatment, and all but one of those cats has serious allergies and compulsive licking hair off and scratching. I have been trying different remedies to OK effect, but it’s slow at best.
For that reason, I will never adopt a pet from a shelter. I can’t afford the emotional drain of caring for chronically sick animals or the economic drain of getting diagnosis assistance. Conventional veterianry treatment drains us all and hurts what it “treats.”
I understand. The belief in vaccination is like a religion. Can’t really argue about it.
The chief remedies for vaccinosis (the disease following vaccines) are Thuja and Sulphur — if you know something about homeopathy.
Good luck.
The problem I am having with all rescues, and even some shelters, is that they want to talk to your vet to be sure your dog is up to date on all vaccines, heartworm drugs and flea and tick chemicals. If not, you likely won’t get a pet. They deem you a terrible pet owner.
I also cannot find a truly holistic vet in our area, or even in the state we live in, Wisconsin.
I understand the situation. There is just too much belief in vaccines and chemicals. That is why we wrote our book, trying to give a different view. You can find breeders that don’t vaccinate or drug. As for finding a vet in your area check my web site, the menu “Referrals” and scroll down to Wisconsin. There are two there.
Good luck.
I so agree. We are stewards of the animals that God has put in our care. We have been raising German Shepherds on our small farm with our flock of sheep. they are an immense help to us, with the livestock, sheep and cattle. We are stewards of all of these, all of them have souls, all of them are so incredible, they have feelings, and care for us as much as we do them. We love them all. I have had your book for many years it has been a great help, even with the sheep and calves. Thank you for that. Homeopathy works. I had two premie calves this season so far. I thought we would loose them, but they are doing great now. what a blessing your book has been, and I don’t know why, but I just found your site. should have looked at it sooner.
Thank you for the thoughtful words and sharing your experiences. Animals are indeed in our care and this should be a top priority.