As Puppy Mill Awareness Month comes to a close, BPF hopes you always keep this information in the back of your mind when bringing a pet into your home. If you haven’t already explored our past 3 blogs about puppy prisons, feel free to give them a read to fully educate yourself. Be sure to share the info with those around you to spread awareness about these inhumane breeders. Today Janie Jenkins, Co-Founder of Stop Online Puppy Mills is sharing some insight on life beyond the mill…

Cathy: What are some of the long-term effects that puppy mill survivors may face in the future? (Mentally/physically)

Janie: Most of the breeding dogs rescued from puppy mills are traumatized. I would say fear of humans is the biggest issue with survivors. My dog Ruby was a survivor of an Amish mill. They gave her c-sections without a vet, she had 9 litters by the time she was 5. She was afraid to go outside without me and she would army crawl along the side of the house for security for months before she felt safe. Loud noises and dogs coughing made her fall flat like a pancake to the ground. I listened to her and together we got her through it. It took her years to trust others, but she did eventually relax and had a great life. She changed me forever for the good.

Cathy: If you haven’t already touched on the reasoning, why is it so important to educate people about the dangers of buying dogs from puppy mills?

Janie: Buying a dog from a puppy mill is wrong on so many levels. One you are supporting the cruelty of its mother and father. How can people love their new puppy beyond belief but be ok with its parents suffering in a cage making babies over and over and over again until they can’t produce anymore? Puppies coming out of puppy mills are more than likely going to have health issues. The most common health issues and the ones that do not show up for years such as epilepsy, heart and kidney disease, hip dysplasia, luxating patellas, eye problem, and deafness. Puppy mill puppies also suffer from separation anxiety, fear anxiety, and could have behavioral problems. It’s in the new family’s best interest to know where their puppy was born. Most buyers can’t imagine the cruelty that goes on and they don’t think their breeder is a puppy mill. The bottom line is…..unless you see for yourself, you will never know. Since over 1 million puppy mill puppies are sold online each year, the chances are high for the breeder you’re talking to is a mill.

Cathy: Do you have any training tips for former puppy mill dogs?

Janie: Be patient, be very patient, and listen to what the dog is telling you. Dogs want to please, they love routine and to know they are safe. Puppy mill dogs need extra TLC.

Cathy: What is it going to take to end puppy mills for good?

Janie: Puppy mills are wrong on so many levels. It’s hard for people to understand the complete picture. So many people do not know about puppy mills still. While the laws are being worked on, passed, and challenged, Stop Online Puppy Mills feels education is the fastest way to end puppy mills. Enforcement is a factor too. In the end, people need to care where their puppy comes from and to consider adoption first. Stop Online Puppy Mills campaigns are designed to educate consumers and expose puppy mills while consumers are searching for puppies online, at the point of sale, and more. Our years of experience in first-hand rescue, mill research, and marketing give us a strong foundation to fulfill this objective.

Don’t buy the lies! Thanks for tuning in with us this month, we hope you’ve learned a thing or two about the dangers of puppy mills.