Puppy Mill Awareness Week

The Athens County Humane Society is hosting Puppy Mill Awareness at College Gate this Tuesday, April 13 and Wednesday, April 14. Stop by from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to see the adorable pups up for adoption and learn how to support reputable breeders who raise dogs into healthy, happy and loving pets.

While visiting with the puppies, you can also pick up a free snack, check out the t-shirts for sale, and talk with the ACHS volunteers, who are happy to answer any questions you may have. Along with the information provided by ACHS, we encourage you to further your research on puppy mills and see why the issue is important to animal-lovers and animal-rights activists alike.

According to the United States Humane Society, an estimated 10,000 puppy mills may be operating in the U.S. today. These puppy factories are interested in producing a large quantity of dogs with the least amount of money. The quality and well being of the dogs is not a priority. Puppy mills mass produce dogs with interbreeding and over-breeding, and the dogs often receive inadequate care and little or no socialization.

Puppies from puppy mills are usually sold to pet shops and bought by people who are unaware of their new puppy’s upbringing. Due to the inhumane breeding practices, the puppies are often infected with hereditary diseases that require intense medical care and result in a short lifespan.

The puppies can also be affected with personality disorders from the neglect and abuse they received in the puppy mills. It is difficult for them to socialize and develop loving relationships with their owners. Even if puppies are sometimes healthy, parent dogs are kept in very inhumane conditons.

There are many ways to help stop the expansion and influence of puppy mills in the dog-breeding market. From Puppy Mill Awareness you will learn how to actively oppose puppy mills and support trustworthy breeders who take pride in the quality of their dogs. Help your furry-friends by attending Puppy Mill Awareness and spreading the word about puppy mills to all your family and friends!

By Merete Kenworthy