Letter to the Editor about
the AKC's Support of Puppy Mills

If you want to get involved in the AKC and change their management, there are obedience and agility clubs who were outraged, disgusted and disgraced by that Petland deal, and who loudly voiced their opinion to the AKC.

But easier and probably more impactful in the short run is to continue writing letters to the editor. If the AKC isn't committed to educating the puppy buyer about avoiding pet stores and finding reputable sources, we sure can.

Below is a shortened, 300 word version of the letter to the editor that we can all send to our local papers. Check with your local paper to see what their maximum word count is. Feel free to edit and cut -- the key is to get the message out there!

Good luck!

Most people never realize that the majority of puppies for sale in pet stores are the product of "puppy mills”.

Puppy mills are institutions of cruelty, often hidden from public view. They are inhumane breeding facilities that mass produce purebred puppies and “designer dogs” to maximize profits, disregarding the physical, social and emotional health of dogs in their facilities. It is not unusual for hundreds of dogs to be crammed together in filthy pens and wire cages, never stepping foot outside. The dogs are bred repeatedly, and if their reproductive capacity wanes, they are often ruthlessly killed. These are the grim truths of the puppy mill trade lurking behind that cute puppy in the pet store window.

You, the consumer, have the power to close down these inhumane facilities. By adopting from animal shelters, individuals can put an end to the vicious supply-and-demand cycle of puppy mills. Visit www.petfinder.com to see over 100,000 dogs up for adoption, an estimated 25% of them purebreds.

If you must buy a purebred puppy, look for a reputable breeder by doing your research. Visit the breeder's home, talk to their vet and other people who have their dogs, see their genetic testing results and always meet the parents of the pup. Don’t be fooled by registration papers – they mean nothing about the source of the dog. Good breeders want to meet the owners of their dogs in person and aren't in it for the money; they would never sell their pups to a pet store (despite what pet stores may tell you).

If you buy a puppy from a pet store, you are responsible for perpetuating this industry of cruelty. If you love your dog or cat, don’t support pet stores that sell puppies and kittens – don’t buy anything from those businesses.