Comments on: How to ‘save’ puppy-mill dogs: Don’t buy them

By: H. Houlahan

H. Houlahan — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 01:48:43 +0000

Buying a puppy-mill puppy can only be construed as “saving” him if the buyer has convinced herself that she is superior to all other possible buyers.

This is highly unlikely to be true. Habitual self-delusion is not a commonly-accepted field sign of a superb dog owner.

In any event, as Erich points out, each purchase of a puppy-mill puppy increases the net total of animal suffering.

It is not a valid moral quandary.

By: Erich Riesenberg

Erich Riesenberg — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 00:38:16 +0000

I don’t think buying a puppy mill dog saves a dog.

As soon as that dog is sold another will replace it. Is the buyer of a puppy mill dog going to buy all the replacements? If not, while buying one dog may help that dog, it is causing the puppy miller to create more product.

The same is true for shelters. Some people will go to a high kill shelter to save a dog, but the dogs at a no or low kill shelter are not truly safe until they are adopted. And good shelters need support to continue.

I think the bottom line is to support good breeders, good shelters, and hope to put the bad ones out of business due to lack of demand.

By: Gina Spadafori

Gina Spadafori — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 23:58:49 +0000

Lis is absolutely right: Pet-stores charge more for their poor puppy-mill victims than reputable breeders do for dogs responsible bred with all health clearances and socialization.

Seriously: Avoiding puppy-mill retail outlets and miller websites is a no-brainer, on so many levels.

Just say no.

By: Lis

Lis — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 22:53:18 +0000

Would you rather save one individual dog and support the mass industries that produce these unhealthy dogs, or would you want to go to a reputable breeder and find a healthy dog, often more expensive, but know you are not supporting a form of animal cruelty such as puppy mills?

Often less expensive to get that responsibly bred puppy from a reputable breeder. As you note in your last paragraph, those puppy mill puppies in the pet store are not cheap to buy. Not only is profit the point, but the pet store is merely the last link in the chain, each of which needs its cut of the profit.

Finding a responsible breeder is more work, and sadly, more work than it really should be, but what you spend in time and research, you’ll get back in saved money, and saved heartache, as well as saved guilt.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 14:56:52 +0000

I really enjoyed your article. I am currently writing a paper for my English class about how purchasing a dog is in fact a moral and complex decision to make. Would you rather save one individual dog and support the mass industries that produce these unhealthy dogs, or would you want to go to a reputable breeder and find a healthy dog, often more expensive, but know you are not supporting a form of animal cruelty such as puppy mills? Some people believe rescuing one dog is better than none, but this decision is based upon ones moral and ethical background.
I wish there was some way to end puppy mill industries all together, but due to the mutilple loopholes and manipulative means of consumerism in retail, the end is far beyond soon rather looks like it will never end.
A store in a mall nearby where I live, sells puppy mills dogs, dogs you may have never heard of. These dogs cost as much as $1000. but are ultimately sick, hard to train, have a difficult time socializing and are scared of humans more or less. How can we get these puppy mills to stop if people still go to these pet stores??
Is it even possible??

By: Valerie

Valerie — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:32:26 +0000

“The only “shelter” with an 90 percent kill rate is PETA’s.”

Not so:

http://yesbiscuit.blogspot.com.....-pets.html

A recent survey reveals that the state of Georgia had no fewer than 11 ‘shelters’ with kill rates 90% or higher. Two had kill rates of 100% in 2007.
http://yesbiscuit.blogspot.com.....-kill.html

By: Snoopys Friend

Snoopys Friend — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:23:30 +0000

I could be wrong. Not sure how Spokeo works.

By: Snoopys Friend

Snoopys Friend — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:18:59 +0000

He’s from Sacramento according to Spokeo.

By: H. Houlahan

H. Houlahan — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:31:47 +0000

He sells Angus cattle, at least one double-wide trailer, Brussels Griffon and UKC registered somethings.

He probably peddles pugs, based on his email address.

Is based in Alma, Georgia.

And claims to be an Irish-born Tinker (aka “Traveller”).

Tom Coleman may not be a real name, either. I’m guessing not. It’s the name of interstate 95 in part of Georgia. And it does not appear to be a surname used by Travellers — or rather, a real Traveller surname and not an alias.

Whichever, he isn’t man enough to use a real name or a real link when he crawls out from under his puppymilling rock.

Nice catch, Gina.

By: The OTHER Pat

The OTHER Pat — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:31:14 +0000

most pet shops are very discerning in what they buy

Yup. They make sure they have 4 legs, one tail, 2 eyes, a nose and a mouth. If the “stock” meets that very demanding set of criteria, then it gets sold to the first person who can plunk down the plastic to cover the purchase price.