The number of puppy mills in Texas continues to increase every year, and many purebreds are affected. Anyone considering the purchase of a puppy should first contact rescue and a national breed club for honest information and guidance. It is NEVER wise to buy a puppy from a pet shop because these unfortunate souls come from puppy mills in several states throughout the country. People are often tempted to buy puppies from pet shops in an attempt to save them, but the truth is it only gives mill operators more incentive to continue breeding.
What does a puppy mill look like? Usually has more than one breed offered for sale, but not always. Dogs are kept in tiny enclosures, or allowed to run together in "packs" of 20 or more. The majority of these dogs bear wounds or old scars sustained during fights with more dominant pack members. Property is often located outside of city limits and littered with trash, feces, poorly-constructed kennels, and rabbit hutches, where two or more dogs are crammed together without any hope of escape. Dogs are usually registered with the UKC, AKC or CKC, which is often meaningless and should not be considered as an indication the mill operator is a legitimate, "hobby" breeder. There's a big difference between someone who breeds an occasional litter and someone whose very existence is based on breeding animals for profit. Common sense is a puppy buyers best defense, and if it smells, looks and sounds like a mill to you it probably is. As difficult as it may be to walk away empty handed, that is exactly what you should do, and then go to the nearest authorities to report the conditions you have seen.
Beware of slick websites: The Internet unintentionally allows mill operators to deceive a great many people. Their websites often depict beautiful, healthy dogs, with "champions" and "imports" listed as a way of justifying outrageous prices for their puppies.
They even boast of "written health guarantees" and religious affiliations in an attempt to legitimize themselves, but these are merely an attempt to sucker the uneducated and naive. Most people don't even realize they've been duped until they arrive at the puppy mill and see for themselves the miller's website is a LIE.
How can I find a reputable breeder? The Internet can work in your favor here. Most rescue organizations and national breed clubs have websites now, or you can go to www.petfinder.com and find thousands of dogs in need of a good home. Reputable, "hobby" breeders have websites, too, where
one or two litters per year are advertised, where puppies are guaranteed for life against inherited conditions such as hip or elbow dysplasia, cataracts, wobblers, epilepsy, Demodectic mange, dermoid sinus, and any other congenital defect known to affect their breed. A reputable breeder will offer you a full refund if you decide you'd rather not have a "replacement" puppy. A reputable breeder will ask that you fill out an application to have one of their puppies, and they do this because they truly love their breed and want permanent, loving homes for puppies. They often require a visit to your home and will ask that you sign a spay/neuter agreement. They do NOT offer "two for one" sales or "free to good home", nor do they make any attempt to convince you a shy or skittish puppy will "be just fine once you get him home".
Please, if you feel you absolutely must have a puppy, go to someone reputable and not the unscrupulous, evil individuals who make their living from the suffering of helpless animals.
The pictures above were taken at a Texas "mini mill", an operation usually involving one stud dog and two or three bitches, which are bred on every heat cycle. As you can see, one bitch has an untreated skin condition and lies in a metal drum, without bedding, while her puppies wander around the small enclosure, amid discarded hoses, wires and other trash.