Puppy Mills is a massive production of all types of dogs. They produce thousands of puppies a year which they sell to puppy stores, pet shops, and unsuspecting buyers. Doesn't sound too bad so far, but imagine living a life inside a cage with no possible way to ever get out. That is how many of these dogs are kept locked in a small cage or crate with a wire floor, and no interaction with people. Normally when breeding a dog the waiting period to which breed the dog back is 9 months. Puppy Mill breeds the dog back as soon as possible and as much as possible. If you are not concerned with that think of this if you the unsuspecting customer purchased one of these puppies you could spend thousands of dollars for vet fees. Do to the fact that the puppies from a Puppy Mill receive limited vet care if any at all, and in these unsanitary living conditions disease runs wild.
However, there are ways to protect you from ever being a victim to Puppy Mills. First, don't buy from a pet store. If buying from a breeder online ask for a vet referral, or a lifetime guarantee for the dog. This prevents you from getting a lemon, a dog which they already know is sick. Next ask if the breeder does testing. There is different testing offered for different kind of breeds. So research know what diseases or genetic diseases that breed could have, and ask the breeder if he/she test for them. This prevents you from having to a hassle for the future. Never buy from a breeder online if you haven't looked at the place. You need to see how the puppies are kept. How often they are socialized with, and the cleanliness of the place. You need to know these things before buying any dog. Not only because it protects you, but because it cuts down on Puppy Mills. If they don't make a profit off of unsuspecting buyers, or pet stores then they will stop. So, do your part protect yourself and help put a stop to Puppy Mills.
