So we’re taking a bit of a detour from dog adoption in this episode. Ok, is it just me or are people almost entirely devoid of patience these days! That sounded bitter but I’ll be honest, I’m really disappointed. I’ve seen person after person choose to adopt only to be completely put off by the application phase and then abandon dog adoption altogether. They almost immediately get on KIJIJI and start searching for a puppy to get what I call their “instant dog gratification.”

This just breaks my heart!

1. I’m sad that people aren’t morally committed to adopting homeless pets - I honestly can’t imagine getting one any other way!

 2. It’s frustrating that there are so many pets in need but the process has become too difficult for the average person to see it through.

3. Of course it’s easy to get a dog on Kijiji, but you can almost guarantee that you are supporting a puppy mill or a puppy broker, which is basically a sales agent for a puppy mill.

I’ve always been a cheerleader for adopting pets from rescues and shelters. Growing up,  I honestly didn’t know any other way; all of my family pets have come from a shelter or have been rehomed to us. 

It really wasn’t until I stepped into veterinary medicine as a registered veterinary technician that I got an inside scoop on the world of breeding and breeders. Let me just say that personally,  I WILL ALWAYS choose rescue and shelter pets over a breeder but for some, choosing a breeder is the best approach. I often suggest this approach to those with allergies seeking hypoallergenic dogs or cats.

However, so many people don’t know what it means to find a reputable breeder. They’re often naive and think they have found one but really it’s just that puppy mills and brokers have just gotten really good at fooling them.

Frankly, I don’t care if your puppy comes from a breeder - that is a personal choice! However, I most certainly do care if your puppy comes from a puppy mill. 

Puppy mills are thriving in the impulse-buying culture we’ve created. Now, more than ever people believe that “If they want it, they should have it and have it now!” That kind of mindset leads to hasty decisions, a lack of homework and eventual fulfilment of the puppy mill’s business model which is ‘ supply and demand’.

My passion to support dog rescues and shelters is more alive than ever thanks to the Puppy Scammers podcast which shares about our local (Southern, ON) puppy mill crisis. Kimberley Thomas, of Kismutt Rescue, is a wealth of knowledge on episode 1 of this podcast. Her particular perspective is extremely eye-opening as she has had an insiders’ view of puppy mills in this area from a young age. 

I have come to understand that there will always be people who choose ignorance and impulsivity over information. I can’t help those people. However, I CAN help the multitudes of future pet owners that have had no exposure to the world of puppy mills and brokers. If that’s you or someone you know, it’s time to get informed so that we can be a part of the solution and stop the puppy mill lifecycle.

How can we avoid supporting puppy mills and make sure we’re purchasing a puppy ethically, meaning from a reputable breeder?

DON’T SHOP ON KIJIJI - You can almost guarantee that a puppy from Kijiji is not ethically bred and comes from a puppy mill or puppy mill broker. The Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) Puppy List has proven to be an unregulated resource. I recommend you investigate breeders via word of mouth or provincial and regional breeder groups that can be found on Google. These groups often have their own list and tend to oversee the quality of breeders on it.

SEE WHERE PUPPIES ARE BEING RAISED AND MEET ONE OR BOTH PARENTS - Are parents healthy and socialized? Take them for a walk to find out! A breeder should be proud to show you at least one parent and where the puppies are raised. Indoors is always preferable to a farm as they are often better socialized, potty trained and are breeding single litters. Puppy raisers that are breeding for mass production are not concerned about upholding breed standards and are cutting corners to make puppies accessible year-round.  

DEMAND LEGITIMATE VET RECORDS - A puppy mill may provide a certificate of vaccination or health exam too but they often appear to have questionable details because they are not in fact legitimate. Things like incorrect details for your puppy, corrections on the page or a lack of knowledge from the puppy raiser should all be red flags! Do not ignore these signs as you could be purchasing an unvaccinated puppy or an ill puppy.

 ASK THE BREEDER QUESTIONS - A responsible breeder should happily share wisdom about your puppy and its specific breed, temperament and health status. Ask details about their vaccinations/deworming and what your puppy is protected against. Have them share their knowledge about common breed health concerns and what they've done to safeguard this puppy against those. Responsible breeders care about the people purchasing their pups, they are invested in your puppy raising journey and want to be a resource to you for years to come.

Lastly, for those making the argument that they’re rescuing a puppy mill puppy from a terrible situation, I want you to consider the mother’s quality of life. Please realize that while the puppy is off to better pastures, the mother is left behind and condemned to a life of overbreeding in terrible conditions.

Sharing information is one of the simplest ways we can discourage the puppy mill industry. If you’re looking for a puppy, or know someone who is, please share this podcast or this all-encompassing resource onStopping Puppy Mills in Canada - make sure to scroll all the way down the page to get great puppy purchasing tips.