Imprisoned for life

An internet puppy or one in the window of a pet store looks adorable, and hard to resist. Before you buy, please consider its parents. They may have been confined in a cage like this one where they were bred constantly, then killed "out the back" when no longer useful. There are puppy mills around the country like this one, where hundreds of dogs are confined in wretched conditions, and never receive affection, are never allowed to run, play or even see the sun. Some puppy millers cut their vocal cords to keep them quiet and very little veterinary care, if any, is ever rendered. Nearly all commercial breeders are puppy millers. They are factory-style breeding businesses that produce puppies in mass, designed to make a profit at the expense of tortured dogs. While utterly meaningless, they may have a USDA license to operate, may even send you pictures of seemingly healthy puppies running free. They're lying. Every time you buy an internet or pet store puppy, you guarantee the suffering of horribly abused dogs like these.

It costs the US taxpayer an estimated 2 billion dollars a year to round up, house, medically treat and euthanize approximately 2 to 3 million dogs in this country every year. Every time you buy an internet or pet store puppy you are bringing about the death of another shelter dog that is waiting for a loving home. It is estimated that as many as 30% of these are pure-bred dogs. All breeds are available in shelters and rescue organizations all over the country. Visit sites such as PetFinder.com where you will find just what you are looking for at a shelter or rescue near you. I have 2 rescues in my home now and rescuing Oscar and Dexter is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.