Puppy Mills

Aunt Kerry's Pet Stop loves puppies, that's why we don't sell them. We make it a point to educate the public about the puppy mill industry and why people should not purchase dogs from pet stores.

     Puppy mills are breeding facilites that produce purebred puppies in large quantities (think hundreds of dogs, each producing multiple litters per year in the same facility). The puppies are often sold directly to the public via the Internet, newspaper/magazine ads, or from the facility itself. However many are sold to puppy brokers and then to pet shops across the country. Documented problems of puppy mills include minimal vet care, poor food and shelter, lack of human socialization, overcrowded cages, killing of unwanted animals. These puppies often are sold with problems stemming from poor vet care, or genetic problems from improper breeding.

     The Humane Society of The United States has lots of information regarding puppy mills. Prisonersofgreed.org includes stories and photos of puppy mills and the dogs that have come from them. Aunt Kerry's Pet Stop encourages everyone to adopt their next pet. There are many local rescue groups for all animals, as well as local breed specific rescue groups. If you don't find your next best friend locally, try statewide and regional rescue groups and websites such as petfinder.com.

If you still don't have any luck and want to go through a breeder we recommend the following steps:

• Go to local and regional dog shows, talk to breeders and owners and ask them who they recomend.
• Ask what genetic testing and medical certifications that particualar breed should have befor you start your breeder search.
• When you find a breeder, find out how many dogs they breed (should only be 1 or 2). Find out how many dogs they have, how many puppies they sell and if they sell to pet stores. If they sell to pet stores or a large number of puppies that should raise red flags.
• Ask to see where the parents and the puppies live.
• Ask for references, people that have purchased puppies from the breeder before.
• Find out what genetic testing is done and what health certificates the dog has (remember the research you did earlier?).
• Find out if the puppies are sold on contract and if there is a warranty.
• Listen to the breeder's questions. If the breeder doesn't ask you questions about the quality of the home or care, you don't want to buy from them.