Stop puppy mills

I read with dismay in the IDS on Wednesday that a well-meaning group of students was doing a fundraiser for Delilah’s Pet Shop. Although the owners say they are not obtaining their animals from puppy mills, it is unlikely that this is true in every case. Obviously some pet store owners are more responsible than others, but any wholesale marketing of companion animals in a pet store environment promotes the existence of puppy mills.

There are so many wonderful, unwanted animals (pure breeds as well as mixed) that are available for adoption at the animal shelter or through breed rescue groups.

Sadly, there is a lack of education about what goes on in the puppy breeding industry. Plenty of information can be found at: www.prisonersofgreed.org and www.HSUS.org.

At the very least, if the choice is made to buy from a pet store, the owner should be willing to supply you with the name and address of the breeder. If the animal is truly from a “local, reputable” breeder, they should have no problem giving out that information. I would encourage people to check out the breeder and consider other options before buying at a pet store.
 
Donna Dayton
IU employee