Peter Hall: Puppy mills a disgrace here and there

They abound across both Canada and the USA - the puppy mills.

They are large-scale commercial dog breeding facilities where profit is given priority over the well-being of the dogs and in the USA alone it is estimated that there may be as many as 10,000.

Dogs are housed in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions without adequate, if any, care, food, water or socialisation.

The females are bred at every opportunity with no recovery time between litters and by eight weeks the pups are sold to pet shops or directly to the public over the internet, through newspaper ads and at swap meets and flea markets.

The dogs are often kept in cages with wire flooring that injures their paws and legs and frequently the cages are stacked in columns.

When female breeding dogs reach a point of physical depletion and can no longer produce, they are often killed.

Pennsylvania is considered the puppy mill capital of eastern USA while Ontario has that dubious honour north of the border.

But it has become more evident that people in search of a new pup are hesitating before buying from a local breeder and are supporting shelters and rescues where veterinary care and the SPCA can be involved.

People are being advised to check the breeder's licence, tour the kennels, meet a puppy's parents, check a breeder's references and ask direct questions.

Some advise folks to contact the breeder's veterinarian and to also contact local shelters and rescue organisations to minimise the chance of adopting a 'puppy mill' puppy.

One of the hardest things for an adopter to do is not to rescue a puppy but contact authorities about the situation.

Puppy mills DO exist in New Zealand, though on a much lesser scale, but they are here and this is evident by an upcoming case in Auckland.

Some of the tell-tale signs are:

• The breeder lists multiple breeds.
• The breeder advertises on multiple internet sites.
• The breeder will not show you the kennels.
• The breeder shows you handwritten health records.
• The dogs seem antisocial or fearful.

Whereas the good breeder does the following:

• Screens breeding stock for diseases.
• Removes affected animals from the breeding programme.
• Avoids inbreeding.
• Keeps breeding stock well socialised.
• Does not breed extremely young or old animals.
• Breeds and rears pets in their home, not in kennels.
• Screens potential customers.
• Never sells puppies to a dealer or pet shop.

So, if you are looking for that wonderful dog to be your companion, your children's faithful friend and a lifelong family member, then take your time, do your research, and for you there will be all those special heart-warming moments that you and your pet can share.

Locally the following may be the way to go:

Our local council - www.whanganui.govt.nz/our-services/animal-management/pound-pooches/pages/default.aspx

Our SPCA which is one of the best in New Zealand; Greyhounds as Pets (GAP) - greyhounds are not as high strung as one may imagine.

They are in fact massive couch potatoes that love to lie around all day and great pets for people who don't want to walk them too much (but definitely walk them on a leash!). greyhoundsaspets.org.nz