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USA: Airline’s Puppy Deaths Spark Debate about Commercial Breeders - Twitchin Kitten - 08-13-2010
Airline’s Puppy Deaths Spark Debate about Commercial Breeders
As animal lovers become more aware that purchasing a dog from a pet store supports the inhumane practices of puppy mills, commercial breeders are using online sources to get their dogs directly into homes across the country.
On August 3, seven puppies died of suspected heat-related complications in the cargo hold of a plane en route from Tulsa, OK, to Chicago, IL. The victims were seven of 14 pups transported by the airline, and reportedly came from a commercial breeder in Oklahoma—many of the puppies were booked on connecting flights, making it likely that they were purchased online by buyers in different cities.
“Puppy mill operators are creating professional looking websites that convincingly dupe consumers into thinking they are reputable breeders,” says Cori Menkin, ASPCA Senior Director of Legislative Initiatives. “A sure way to spot a scam is that they often offer to ship the dogs to the buyer without ever meeting in person. No reputable breeder would ever ship a puppy to a buyer sight unseen.”
Buying a puppy over the Internet is just as risky as buying from a pet store—you can’t see the puppy’s breeding premises or meet his parents. Furthermore, those who sell animals online are not held to regulations established by the Animal Welfare Act.
“The Animal Welfare Act requires breeders to be licensed and meet specific minimum standards of care for animals bred for resale, but a loophole allows puppy breeders who sell directly to the public—which includes over the Internet—to go unregulated,” says Menkin. “They are able to keep inspectors away and operate without being accountable to anyone.”
“The bottom line is the only way to be sure your new puppy isn't a product of cruel and inhumane conditions is to see for yourself where he lives—visit the breeder’s facilities and meet the puppy’s parents,” Menkin states. “Or better yet, adopt from your local shelter.”
For more information on the risks associated with buying a puppy in a pet store or online, please visit our online Puppy Mill campaign.
RE: USA: Airline’s Puppy Deaths Spark Debate about Commercial Breeders - Sally - 08-13-2010
I actually bought my Newfoundland online from a breeder in Pittsburg and had him shipped here to Fl. I never met the breeder, but we talked on the phone several times and she sent me pictures of her home and the parents which were her own pets. When I talked to her on the phone I never had the feeling that it was anything shady or a puppy mill. She seemed to be very concerned about the welfare of the pups and I had to sign several different papers, one being that she would take the dog back at anytime if for some reason I couldn't care for it. Anyway, I'm sure there are plenty of reputable breeders online, but I'm sure there are just as many that are not. It's probally not something I would do again. It's just that Newfoundlands are a hard breed to find here.
RE: USA: Airline’s Puppy Deaths Spark Debate about Commercial Breeders - Twitchin Kitten - 08-13-2010
Puppy mills don't make you sign all that paperwork. There are plenty of reputable breeders online but there are probably more shady dealers online than good ones. The internet makes it too easy to make shady deals. I once saw a site that was "able to obtain wild animals from Africa for you" "let us take care of the paperwork."
You know that's shady!
Puppy mills have to go. There is no need for them. None whatsoever.