The Pros And Cons Of Puppy Mills

Lastly, unlicensed breeders control puppy mills. Very few puppy mills contain licensed breeders and avoid being inspected by government officials (“Puppy Mills”). The Animal Legal and Historical Center defines a commercial breeder as “someone who breeds a large number of dogs, usually twenty or more, within a certain time frame, which is usually twelve months.” Puppy mills stand as a large-scale commercial dog breeding operation. In an article involving commercial pet breeders’ laws, Rebecca F. Wisch, an author from Michigan State University College of Law, asserts,

In all, around 25 states have laws addressing commercial breeders. While the laws vary, they generally require a person who meets the definition of a commercial breeder

The breeders also fail to pay the required fee, have their mills inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and uphold a safe, clean, and comfortable environment for the dogs and puppies ("Puppy Mills, Pet Shops, and the AKC Basic Facts"). Additionally, breeders sell puppies as young as eight weeks old to pet shops or to public through newspaper ads, swap meets, flea markets, and the Internet. The breeders stand as unreliable businesspersons who hide the dreadful environment and conditions the dogs live under and endure. Puppy mills should absolutely be banned due to the fact that the breeders who control the operation are unlicensed and only desire profit over the well-being off the dogs (“Puppy

In particular, the American Kennel Club opposes the ban of puppy mills. The American Kennel Club earns a large amount of money from the commercial breeders at puppy mills. Almost forty percent of the American Kennel Club’s annual sixty-one dollar million revenue comes from dog registrations; and of that amount, the largest percentage of the funds come from operations like puppy mills (Raining Cats and Dogs). Both puppy mill breeders and the American Kennel Club remain focused on money. The American Kennel Club chooses not to inspect puppy mills because the mills will certainly be shut down for their inhuman treatment of the dogs. The American Kennel Club does not take the health, safety, and comfort of the dogs and puppies into consideration. Therefore, the organization refuses to support the ban of puppy mills. However, breeders who regulate puppy mills and ignore minimum standards of the Animal Welfare Act will face consequences. The Animal Welfare Act, which involves providing proper shelter and basic supply of food and water for animals, works against the breeders. Puppy mill breeders can be fined or forced to shut down the puppy mill as result of failing to adhere to the standards ("Puppy Mills, Pet Shops, and the AKC Basic Facts"). Furthermore, the American Kennel Club will lose a large amount of profit if puppy mills are shut down across the country and be recognized as an organization