- \n
- Many people do not know about puppy mills.<\/li>\n
- Government controls and taxes on dog breeding may also adversely impact reputable breeders.<\/li>\n
- Banning or controlling the sale of dogs from pet stores is often unpopular because it limits consumer choice, and makes it difficult and more expensive to get purebred dogs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Below we consider each of these issues and what we can all do to help stop puppy mills<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n
![\"Siberian](\"https:\/\/shibashake.com\/dog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/IMG_1239-520x390.jpg\")
How We Can All Help to Stop Puppy Mills<\/div><\/div> <\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\nStop Puppy Mills 1 – Spread the Word<\/h2>\n
When I was looking to get my first dog, I did not know about puppy mills. The first place I went to get a puppy<\/a> was the pet store. The next place I went to look for a puppy was an online pet store.<\/p>\n
I did not do much research into dogs until after my puppy started 10 kinds of hell including biting one me<\/a>, leash biting<\/a>, humping my leg, and much more from his Shiba Greatest Hits album. If my puppy were more easy-going, I may not even know about puppy mills or the pet stores and online stores that they supply.<\/p>\n
Therefore, the first step to stopping puppy mills is to get the information out there. One of the best places to distribute such information is in our schools. Children are usually very interested in learning about animals and dogs, much more so than adults.<\/p>\n
If you are involved in the school system, please consider doing a field trip to a nearby SPCA or Humane Society. Alternatively, invite speakers over from a nearby animal shelter or rescue to teach about caring for animals, puppy mills, and what everyone can do to stop puppy mills.<\/p>\n
![\"Shiba](\"https:\/\/shibashake.com\/dog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/IMG_3694-520x390.jpg\")
Spread the word about puppy mills.<\/div><\/div> <\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\nThe best way to convey this information and win over the hearts and mind of others is to use facts, rational arguments, and positive language. Most people who want to get dogs already love dogs and care for their welfare. Therefore, most of the battle is already won. We simply need to communicate the necessary information in a way that is easy to absorb.<\/p>\n
Scolding, personal insults, shouting, righteous indignation, and being generally rude will only drive others away from our cause. Once we alienate a person, he will no longer wish to listen to us. He may not even want to listen to others with the same message because of previous negative associations. These antagonistic methods do not help anyone, least of all our dogs. Truth<\/strong> need not be conveyed with anger or meanness in our hearts<\/a>.<\/p>\n
To help stop puppy mills get the information out there in a positive way. If nobody buys from puppy mills, nobody will want to run them.<\/strong><\/p>\n
![\"Girl](\"https:\/\/shibashake.com\/dog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/IMG_3419-520x390.jpg\")
To help stop puppy mills we want to communicate positively with others.<\/div><\/div> <\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\nStop Puppy Mills 2 – Government Controls on the Breeding and Sale of Dogs<\/h2>\n
Another common way to stop puppy mills is through more laws around the breeding and sale of dogs. A few years ago, many of the rescue organizations in my area tried to pass a bill to raise the license fees of un-neutered pets. The higher license fees would create a strong economic incentive to get residents to neuter their pets, and therefore lower the number of unwanted cats and dogs.<\/p>\n
Even though there was a fair amount of support, the bill was ultimately defeated. Many similar bills that try to protect the welfare of dogs, curb puppy mill practices, and help reduce the number of unwanted pets do not make it into law, even at the local level. Why? <\/em><\/p>\n
A key reason is because such laws also have a negative impact on reputable breeders. For example, the higher license fees on un-neutered pets will likely place undue financial burdens on reputable breeders, and they may no longer be able to breed dogs.<\/p>\n
Reducing the number of reputable breeders will also make it difficult and more expensive to buy purebred puppies.<\/p>\n
![\"Best](\"https:\/\/shibashake.com\/dog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/IMG_4436-520x390.jpg\")
Stop Puppy Mills 2 – Government Controls on the Breeding and Sale of Dogs<\/div><\/div> <\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\nInstead of placing more controls on the dog breeding process, we can put more controls at the point of sale.<\/p>\n
Some cities ban pet sales from pet stores<\/a>. However, any type of banning quickly becomes problematic and unpopular<\/a> because it necessarily limits consumer choice and infringes upon individual freedoms. There are also valid concerns about black markets developing around the sale of animals.<\/p>\n
![\"Shiba](\"https:\/\/shibashake.com\/dog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/08\/IMG_3583-520x390.jpg\")
![\"Girl](\"https:\/\/shibashake.com\/dog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/IMG_1523-520x390.jpg\")
![\"Dogs](\"https:\/\/shibashake.com\/dog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/IMG_4509-520x390.jpg\")