We would like to inform people about puppy mills and some things they should consider before getting their next puppy. Many people spend a lot of money on a really cute looking puppy, when really the dog is seriously sick because the mom has been bred so many times that the dad dog has passed on a lot of germs and sicknesses. The new owners end up spending more money to try to make the dog healthy.
Puppy mills are terrible organizations that overbreed dogs and neglect them. The dogs do not get the proper care or exercise. They do not get the proper food or proper maintenance. The dogs are in small crates with wire flooring. Sometimes the dogs paws fall through and get injured. There is also urine and feces that fall through from the top crates to the bottom crate. The smell is terrible. Some of the dogs have had to breathe in the gross air their whole lives. Also, when the females can no longer reproduce, they are killed.
Getting a puppy is very exciting. But, it’s not exciting to get home and find out that your puppy is sick. If you get your dog from a pet store it’s most likely from a puppy mill. It is important that you either adopt or get a dog from a reputable breeder. Some people buy a dog and they think that they are rescuing a dog, but they’re not. They are just creating more space for a puppy (from a puppy mill) to be sold. Don’t get a dog if you don’t know where it is from or how it has been treated or in condition the dog parents are in.
A very good place to get your next pet is a local animal shelter. Most of their animals are spayed or neutered and very healthy. Most of their animals have also had all their veterinary checkups and vaccinations. Local shelters treat animals well; they give their animals the food and water they need. The volunteers help out with the animals, getting them used to humans. You should definitely volunteer and/or donate supplies the shelter needs.
Puppy mills are terrible organizations that treat their dogs very poorly. Don’t buy a puppy from a pet store unless you know where it came from.
Elise Wu, Abby Douglas and Avery Lockwood
Swigert International Elementary Denver
