Bring Home a Healthy Dog
This Holiday!
Do More. Avoid Buying From Pet Stores.
Pet stores sell dogs from puppy mills. Dogs in puppy mills are abused, live in unsanitary conditions, and seldom receive human socialization or veterinary care. Not only will purchasing from a pet store end up being costly for you, but it supports the operations of putting profit before animal welfare.
How Do I Identify a
Responsible Breeder?
If you decide not to adopt and choose to purchase from a breeder, take the steps below!
Kennel Visit
Visit the kennel and meet the breeder in person. Meet the mother of the puppy. if the breeder does not allow you to visit the kennel do not EVER consider purchasing a puppy from the breeder.
Questions
Responsible breeders should be asking you more questions than you will be asking of them, to ensure their puppies are going to homes that are a good fit.
Health
Reputable breeders provide health certificates for their puppies, including documentation of vaccinations, deworming, and genetic testing.
Qualifications
Ask questions about the breeder’s background, standards of care, puppy’s lineage.
Multiple Breeds
Most reputable breeders only have one or two breeds at most.
Large Numbers of Puppies
Puppy mills prioritize quantity over quality and their sole interest is profits.
Appearance
The puppy should not appear to have signs of physical and emotional neglect, including inadequate socialization.
Sale Tactics
If the breeder is pressuring you to buy and will not let you return later to make your decision be wary. Puppy millers are only concerned about the sale.
Level of Concern
Reputable breeders want to ensure that their puppies are going into to a suitable and loving home and a home appropriate for their breed.
Stay Informed.
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In the News
Check out Bark to Ban Puppy Mills on Show Me St. Louis’ 5 on Your Side.
“When you hear the name Petland, what crosses your mind?” investigator Cameron Taylor asked.
“Sick puppies. That’s the first thing I think of is sick puppies.” Click to see this investigation into Kansas City area Petland.
Check out the Studio STL interview on Fox2now to learn how to combat animal abuse.
“Missouri remains the worst state in the country for puppy mills. Why can't we do better?” Check out this article from the Columbia Missourian.