Breeding operations (puppy mills) pop up most in Virginia

[flashl]

Puppy Mills

Bucolic Virginia is quietly poised to become one of the nation's pre-eminent puppy mill states, according to a months-long investigation to be released today.

Investigators for The Humane Society of the United States found more than 900 dog breeders "churning out puppies" from massive barns, trailers, sheds and backyard cages in "deplorable" conditions, according to the white paper chronicling the findings.

"Every state has puppy mills, but we were surprised by the prevalence of puppy mills in Virginia," the society's Stephanie Shain said Tuesday. "It raises our concern that other states may have hidden puppy mills at a level we were not aware of."

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[LostinVA]

1. It's probably the area Mennonites

Pennsylvania has a huge puppy mill problem and many of the puppy mill breeders are Mennonites and Amish. This isn't anti-religion, just the truth. I think they bank on their popularity as "good country people" to get away with it.

[LynneSin]

6. I don't think they are amish or mennonite although you're right about Lancaster

Amish/Mennonite are very good to their animals but Lancaster has a major problem with puppy mills

[LostinVA]

8. While some may be good to their animals, they do run a lot of puppy mills

It's a huge problem. Googling Amish and Puppy Mill turns up a lot of legitimate hits. They treat the dogs like a cash crop with no regard for the breed and rip people off with "designer dogs" aka mutts.

Hell, I've even had google ads pop up on my gmail advertising "Top Amish Breeder of Purebred Puggles."

[kestrel91316]

9. Hmmmm. I thought I read in Amish Society by John Hostetler

(an academic of Amish background) that Amish are forbidden to own purebred animals with papers. It's the humility thing. Purebreds are seen as drawing too much attention - it's considered self-aggrandizement.

[LynneSin]

11. That's what I'm thinking too

These people have such strict rules for living that I can't imagine they actually would create such harm in raising any animals. However, like LostInVa mentioned - when she googles AMISH and PUPPY she gets plenty of hits. However, it's not uncommon for non-Amish runned business to use the Amish term just because it's a selling point in the Lancaster region.

If you're buying a puppy from something 'deemed' Amish then how bad could it be.

[LostinVA]

13. I doubt that even non-puppy mill Amish breeders are:

Selectively breeding to further the ideals of the breed
Earning titles with their dogs, whether in confirmation, tracking, schutzhund, etc
Getting the hips/elbows/eyes certified on every dog before they breed

They sell dogs to pet shops. No reputable breeder will do that.

[LynneSin]

14. I'm sorry that last statement was a rhetorical question

I grew up outside of Amish country - in the Lancaster region you slap the word 'Amish' on your business and you'll get an increase in business. I was just saying that it could be feasible that the hits you're getting with 'Amish' and 'Puppy Mill' may just be from puppy-mill breeders hoping to increase business by duping people into thinking the business is somehow run by Amish

[LostinVA]

15. It's okay

It's just a sore spot with me, because I know people involved in puppy mill rescue, and I fully support VERY strict licensing of all breeders.

As an aside, the Trophy Wife and I are thinking about adopting a border collie after the holidays.

[LynneSin]

16. I agree with you 110%

I just know that the word "Amish" can get overused. I just think that any true practicer of the Amish faith would not be able to able to practice such a business.

First a Border Collie - when are the kids coming?

[LostinVA]

17. Sissie, when did you start using mind altering illegal narcotics?

KIDS?!

[LynneSin]

18. Don't you want to have some kids someday soon? I think you'd make a great mom

:D

[LostinVA]

20. Hmmm...

I notice you didn't mention your SIL....

I'm too old to safely have an ankle-biter, and do you think Haruka would do anything that would give her a stretch mark?!

[Virginia Dare]

2. Crap! Bookmarking and sending to my state reps..

this is unacceptable. Thanks for the information.

[judaspriestess]

3. when I took my kitten to the vet last Sunday, there was a brochure

on spaying and neutering, it said according to the veterinary association (or an organization of that degree) that 12,500 puppies are born an HOUR in this country. How many of those are from puppy mills and unethical breeders out to make a buck. And how many of those animals wind up abused, abandoned and killed?

This has got to stop....

on edit: typo

[flashl]

4. That's hard for me to conceive

"12,500 puppies are born an HOUR"

[judaspriestess]

7. I was just as shocked as you were

but think about it, how many unspayed/neutered dogs are there out there? I know there are alot of dogs and cats being born thats for sure. The brochure also stated that there were 500,000 stray cats and I can't remember the amount of dogs (actually more dogs than cats) in NYC alone.

It was heartbreaking to read.

here is an email I got from Best Friends animal organization to get religious leaders engaged in helping control the pet population.

http://network.bestfriends.org/religion/news/20029.html

[flashl]

10. Thanks for the link. n/t

[madokie]

5. we have a bunch of em here in ok too

it was all over our papers a couple weeks ago

[TwilightGardener]

12. I thought Missouri was the big puppy mill state.

[flashl]

19. Yikes,

Some responses got me to wondering where else? Well, for starters:

AR, NY, OK, OR
PA, TX, WI

[ileus]

21. Our local puppy mill here in Va is run by Amish. They were just approved

to reopen after a fire destroyed the place.