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How to Find a Puppy and Avoid Puppy Mills: Through Private Advertisements
0 Comments | Posted by Suzy in Current Events, Puppies
Craigslist, Newspaper Ads, Googled Puppies, etc…
“Free to a good home…”
A free puppy is never “free” – there is cost in ownership, pedigree, and humane treatment. Even if you pay for an advertised puppy, be aware of health, breeding, and puppy mill risks.
Advertisements come from reputable breeders, private homes, rescue organizations, and even puppy mills. How ever the person you call or email presents them self, do the research accordingly. See my first entry on how to find a puppy and avoid puppy mills for an overview.
Also be aware that those who sell animals on the Internet are not held to the Animal Welfare Act regulations. (ASPCA 10 Ways You Can Help Fight Puppy Mills)
Puppy Mills
Puppy mills frequently advertise on the Internet and through newspaper ads. They present themselves as breeders or kennels. Sometimes they work through brokers who might sell puppies one litter at a time so they appear to be a family or small breeder. See my information on evaluating breeders.
Private Homes
Many breeders work out of their homes – I discussed evaluating breeders previously. The homes I discuss here are not professional breeders, but regular families who have an accidental breeding, want to to experience “the miracle of birth,” or are looking to earn a little money. But there are pitfalls…
A private home may have a wonderful intact pet that they love and want to share with the world through his/her offspring. However, breeding is a science that should take into account the lineage of both the mother and father dogs. (AKC Responsible Breeding Steps) It is easy for a recessive gene to show up in the offspring, passing along genetic illnesses or aggressive behaviors. If the family doesn’t know the history of both parent dogs, called “pedigree,” don’t take the puppy.
Private homes seldom provide services such as shots, training, or pedigree, and they may not have registration or certifications.
Kennels
Kennels may fall under any of the categories I discuss in this series. It could be a puppy mill, a private home hobbyist, a rescue group, or a qualified and certified breeder. Ask to see both mother and father dogs and the facility where the puppy was born to help you figure out what category the kennel falls under before selecting their puppies. Usually, they are puppy mills since the dogs are bred for profit rather than pedigree.
The last entry will look at my personal favorite, rescue organizations. In the meantime, read Dave’s information on Adopt a Pet Months and All Breed Rescue. Other entries in this series:
- How to Find a Puppy and Avoid Puppy Mills – Puppy Checklist
- Evaluating Breeders
- Looking at Pet Stores
- Adopting from Rescue Groups (next)
