Some stores, like PetSmart and PetCo, don’t sell puppies. Instead, they work with local rescue groups and humane societies to adopt pets. However, many other pet stores get their puppies from puppy mills.

Puppy mills have breeding dogs that are kept in small kennels with little human contact and minimal health care. I won’t go into details here – I am sure you’ve heard about the recent raids in the midwest, Texas, and Alabama, and you can look up the details elsewhere.

Pet store puppies may be registered, but the lineage isn’t monitored to ensure puppies that will remain healthy. Stores may be willing to treat puppies that are sick when you buy them, but not work with you when a genetic illness develops. They seldom provide other services despite prices being comparable to breeders or humane societies. Purchasing puppies from stores encourages puppies for profit, poor breeding, and the birth of more puppies than there are homes.

Before purchasing a puppy through a pet store, ask to see the paperwork identifying the puppy’s breeder and origins. If they are unwilling to provide this information, find another source. If they show you the paperwork,  puppies shipped from out of state by a broker service are a red flag. Go home and do a little research before considering the puppies.

Sometimes you can find information about the pet store by searching their name along with “puppy mill.” Check the source though, the Internet loves rumors.  Snope the story, or look for information from organizations that do criminal investigations and rescues, such as the Humane Society of the United States and American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or local agencies.

Note: This information is also true for kittens and other live animals sold by pet stores. Almost every pet store “pet” including reptiles, birds, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, etc. have reputable breeders and adoption rescue groups.

Next, private advertising – in the paper, on the Internet, and on the street. Other entries in this series:

• How to Find a Puppy and Avoid Puppy Mills – Puppy Checklist
• Evaluating Breeders
• Through Private Advertisements (next)
• Adopting from Rescue Groups

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You can find both good and bad breeders. Some puppy mills call themselves breeders, so do your research with parent organizations for that breed. A good breeder may work out of their home or a kennel.

Choose a good breeder for your puppy.

The best breeders have the genetic and medical history (see links at the end of this complete article) of both the mother and father dogs, and screen for good behavior and good health. Their breeding dogs are often trained in dog sports like agility, taken to confirmation shows, and have titles and certifications. You can locate reputable breeders by contacting breed specific parent organizations. Ask for this information and ask to see proof.

The breeder should carefully screen homes before placing their puppies and make sure you understand the personality and needs of the breed. They often have conditions on what you can do if you cannot keep the dog, and on spaying and neutering if you are getting the puppy as a family pet. If you can get the puppy without going through this kind of questioning, be suspicious of that “breeder.”

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 the facility and figure out what category the kennel falls under before selecting their puppies.

Hint: Don’t even look at the available puppies a business has for adoption until after evaluating their facility and practices. You risk falling in love with one. You may be tempted to think, “but I need to save the puppy,” but all you are doing is providing money and space for a non-reputable business to continue their practice. Report suspicious activity to your local animal control or a humane society and let them rescue the pups.

My next post will look at pet stores. In this series:

• How to Find a Puppy and Avoid Puppy Mills – Puppy Checklist
• Looking at Pet Stores (next)
• Through Private Advertisements
• Adopting from Rescue Groups

Click “More” for a list of helpful links (more…)

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“Dogs bred in puppy mills are typically sold at pet stores, through classified advertisements and over the Internet.” (UAN Journal Fall 2009 print edition. Some UAN Journal issues are on the United Animal Nations website) Many puppy mills cover their conditions by having “sample dogs” customers are allowed to see.

Don't support puppy mills. Get your puppy from a reputable source.

So, how can you find a puppy that doesn’t come from a puppy mill?

Where is the best place to buy a puppy?

Who are the best breeders?

When looking for your puppy, there are several places a person might go – a pet store, newspaper or Craiglist ads, a Google search – but these aren’t necessarily the best choices. Before making your final choice, do your research on the breeder, humane society, or other organization to find your puppy or dog.

In this five part series on finding a puppy, I provide guidance and links to help you locate a reputable organization for your new family member.

Getting a dog is a life-long commitment and relationship you shouldn’t enter into lightly. Do your research on the breed to make sure it is a good match for your lifestyle – don’t get a Portuguese Water dog just because the Obama family has one, or a Chihuahua because of the movie. Research the breed first. Find out about the care and training of a puppy – like human children, they need to chew, learn, and grow – and you’ll need to guide your puppy appropriately. Learn about the organization from which you are getting the puppy to ensure a healthy addition to your family that supports proper breeding practices, or maybe even saves a life.

Factors to consider when choosing a puppy… (more…)

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