Those of you who know me, know that I am part of (co-founder and current president) a great rescue organization named SPOT (Saving Pets One at a Time). We have recently decided to rename to saving pets HUNDREDS at a time! The acronym isn't quite as good though.
Puppy mills. These are places where anywhere from 10 to several hundreds of dogs are kept, continually breeding without control or concern of the welfare of the animals. The females start having pups on their first heat cycle, around 7 months of age, and continue having pups (usually 2 litters a year) well into their teens. One dog we rescued was approximately 14 years old and pregnant. The males in these situations are usually grouped with 2-3 females for breeding. All of the animals are kept in tight quarters, usually without much human contact, without proper vet care, without adequate food and water, in filthy, often non-heated and non-ventilated areas. The pups are weaned at 4 weeks, cleaned up and shipped off to be sold to an unsuspecting/uncaring new owner. Granted, there are good breeders out there...I personally have mixed emotions about that...but that is another post. A good breeder, of any species -be it dogs, cats, cattle, anything - will ensure that the animal is of proper age prior to breeding. They would then get the ok from a veterinarian via exams, x-rays, etc. to insure the breeding animal is of good quality without genetic deformities or predisposed illnesses. A thorough review of their genetic line would also be examined prior to being considered for breeding. A good breeder, in my opinion, is not out there to make hundreds of puppies and thousands of dollars. They are out there to better the breed; by minimizing genetic health defects and diseases; and by reproducing healthy, well mannered animals.
Puppy mills are being found all over the United States every day. This is big business. Many of these people sell the puppies on the internet, overseas and in pet stores. The buyers never see the horrible conditions that these dogs are forced to live in. Barely fed enough to survive, sleeping and living in their own excrement, living next to a sibling that has died weeks ago. The conditions are inhumane, deplorable...prisoners don' t live in such horrific conditions. The smell of urine and feces permeate your nostrils until you start choking and gagging. After one of the raids, I went to talk to one of the Deputies involved and the smell that engulfed her was unimaginable, from just going into the house these dogs were kept in. Can you imagine living there? Or making your Fluffy or Fifi living like that?
If you have been listening/reading the news lately, you will know that there have been over 600 dogs seized in Snohomish and Skagit counties this month. SPOT has been the lead agency in the Skagit raids, seeking help to house the animals from NOAH, HSSV, ODH, and SHS; Everett has the animals from Sno County. SPOT has these animals in foster care. I personally have 12 of them. They are doing well and learning fast. Many of these dogs never had human contact, as all they have known is a small kennel. They get held and bathed, many treats and fresh food and water daily. I know they are smiling now.
Here's a "before" picture. Can you just smell him now? Hair matted, urine and feces soaked fur, horrific breath!? When you pick him up, you can feel every rib and his backbone. Toenails so long they curl under and poke into his pads. Left eye has a cataract...not knowing how long and painful it has been that way. Afraid to be touched, not knowing if you were going to help or hurt him. Not being able to bark, because your vocal cords were removed to lessen the noise of hundreds of dogs in one building.
Now he's happy...bathed...no longer stinks. Now he's happy...a few good meals in his belly.
Now he's happy...snuggled up in someone's arms, knowing he is safe.
Now he's happy...toenails cut and can walk normally, without pain.
Now he's happy...knowing he'll have fresh water available, all the time.
Now he's happy...able to sleep.
How can I help? What can I do? I'm only one person, you ask.
YOU are the one who can help to stop these "businesses" from continuing to grow. YOU can not buy a puppy from the internet, shipped from Missouri. YOU can not stop at a pet botique and buy a puppy for your child. YOU can help educate your friends about the need to shut down these places. YOU can spay or neuter your own pet to prevent unwanted litters. YOU can report violations in your neighborhood. Call your legislators and ak them to support SB5651 and HB1936.
.JPG)
