Alaina Baker
October 1, 2008
COMP – 106 - 007
Anne-Marie Yerks
Breeding Misery
There are an estimated four hundred million dogs in the world. Many of these dogs are strays roaming the streets. To me these dogs are much luckier than those breed in puppy mills. Just a few weeks ago I visited many shelters, the humane society, and searched the Internet for my perfect pet. Before, I had looked up all sorts of breeders and even checked out my local pet store and in doing so I found out a lot more than I wanted to know.
A puppy mill is defined by most as breeding facilities that usually breed full-bred dogs in mass numbers. The mills either sell these dogs directly to the public or pet stores. Most people don’t know the origin of these dogs and often don’t understand why their new pet may be having problems. The mills advertise their dogs as any other breeder might, in newspapers and on the Internet. They often go unnoticed which makes it easy for them to make a profit.
The puppies are usually kept together in very small cages and are mistreated. Food and water is hard to come by for these dogs causing many of them to die and the “unwanted” ones are killed. Most of them never visit a vet while in the mill and are often inbreed which can lead to genetic diseases that will rise years later. Dogs that are rescued from these horrible farms typically express bad behaviors and are not socialized.
In my pictures I demonstrate a proper way of sheltering animals without a permanent home. The Michigan Humane Society is a very well kept organization whose only goal is to help animals find good homes with people who will take care of them. The dogs are kept in their own rooms so that potential families can view them. If there are two dogs from the same litter they will often be paired together in the same room for comfort. During the many times that I have been there volunteers routinely rotate the dogs in and out of their rooms for walks.
The people that work at the Humane Society are extremely nice and very passionate about these animals. Another component of the adoption process that I agree with greatly is that they will not let people who are seen as unfit to raise an animal to take one home. People sit everyday at these desks and sign contracts saying that the people from the Humane Society are welcome to come see the animal in your home at any time they please.
In some of my pictures of this facility you may have noticed that they are of different animals. That’s because these problems of over breeding is not just true in dogs. Cats, rabbits, hamsters, and small animals of all sorts need good homes. The cats that are eligible for adoption are kept all together in a big room full of fun things for them to play with. If some one wants to see any of these animals they are taken out of their room and put in one of many other empty rooms so you may get to know them better.
Finally on a recent visit to the Michigan Humane Society I found my perfect pet. She was only a twelve week year old Jack Russell puppy lying in her kennel with her brother. Her name is officially Abigail and she has been happily living in our home for about 3 weeks now. It was heartbreaking seeing all of these animals with no yard to run free in. I hope that this inspires people to adopt first before feeding their money to pet stores running their puppy mill scam on you.
October 1, 2008
COMP – 106 - 007
Anne-Marie Yerks
Breeding Misery
There are an estimated four hundred million dogs in the world. Many of these dogs are strays roaming the streets. To me these dogs are much luckier than those breed in puppy mills. Just a few weeks ago I visited many shelters, the humane society, and searched the Internet for my perfect pet. Before, I had looked up all sorts of breeders and even checked out my local pet store and in doing so I found out a lot more than I wanted to know.
A puppy mill is defined by most as breeding facilities that usually breed full-bred dogs in mass numbers. The mills either sell these dogs directly to the public or pet stores. Most people don’t know the origin of these dogs and often don’t understand why their new pet may be having problems. The mills advertise their dogs as any other breeder might, in newspapers and on the Internet. They often go unnoticed which makes it easy for them to make a profit.
The puppies are usually kept together in very small cages and are mistreated. Food and water is hard to come by for these dogs causing many of them to die and the “unwanted” ones are killed. Most of them never visit a vet while in the mill and are often inbreed which can lead to genetic diseases that will rise years later. Dogs that are rescued from these horrible farms typically express bad behaviors and are not socialized.
In my pictures I demonstrate a proper way of sheltering animals without a permanent home. The Michigan Humane Society is a very well kept organization whose only goal is to help animals find good homes with people who will take care of them. The dogs are kept in their own rooms so that potential families can view them. If there are two dogs from the same litter they will often be paired together in the same room for comfort. During the many times that I have been there volunteers routinely rotate the dogs in and out of their rooms for walks.
The people that work at the Humane Society are extremely nice and very passionate about these animals. Another component of the adoption process that I agree with greatly is that they will not let people who are seen as unfit to raise an animal to take one home. People sit everyday at these desks and sign contracts saying that the people from the Humane Society are welcome to come see the animal in your home at any time they please.
In some of my pictures of this facility you may have noticed that they are of different animals. That’s because these problems of over breeding is not just true in dogs. Cats, rabbits, hamsters, and small animals of all sorts need good homes. The cats that are eligible for adoption are kept all together in a big room full of fun things for them to play with. If some one wants to see any of these animals they are taken out of their room and put in one of many other empty rooms so you may get to know them better.
Finally on a recent visit to the Michigan Humane Society I found my perfect pet. She was only a twelve week year old Jack Russell puppy lying in her kennel with her brother. Her name is officially Abigail and she has been happily living in our home for about 3 weeks now. It was heartbreaking seeing all of these animals with no yard to run free in. I hope that this inspires people to adopt first before feeding their money to pet stores running their puppy mill scam on you.
3 comments:
Last year during my Speech class, a fellow student spoke against puppy mills. I had not heard of puppy mills prior to her speech. Now, I refuse to walk into pet stores in the mall (granted I am very allergic to dogs and cats in the first place.) My aunt and uncle, who are veterinarians, also warned me about puppy mills. I am excited to see your project!
I have not heard of these puppy mills before I read your blog. I am very much looking forward to see your presentation. That just shounds horrible to what they are doing to those animals and something should be done to stop it!
My best friend actually purchased a 6 week old puppy from a pet store. The owner told her that he gets all of these puppies in bulk form a "private" supplier. Not to my surprise, her puppy ended up getting very sick and had to be put to sleep shortly after being taken in by my friend. Your essay just proves that these places are unfit for any animal to be raised in! Great job!
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