BISSELL Pet Foundation Interview: How to Avoid Supporting Puppy Mills – Part 3

In Part 3 of the BISSELL Pet Foundation interview, Cathy Bissell continues her conversation with Janie Jenkins, founder of Stop Online Puppy Mills, about how puppy buyers can recognize breeder red flags and avoid supporting puppy mills.

Janie explains why buyers should meet the mother dog in person, why purchasing a puppy online can hide important information about the breeder, and what questions to ask before bringing home a puppy.

Missed the earlier interviews? Read BISSELL Pet Foundation Puppy Mill Interview – Part 1 and Part 2.

Cathy: What Questions Should You Ask a Dog Breeder Before Buying a Puppy?

Janie: We have a page of red flags on our website, but, if a breeder is willing to send you a puppy without meeting you, that is a red flag. If they won’t let you come to their home and meet the mother dog and see where and how she lives, don’t buy the puppy. Some of these breeders originally say yes to picking up the pup, but as the date approaches, they call and say they will be in the area or closer so they suggest meeting in a parking lot.

Cathy: Can you talk more about the hazards of finding a puppy online, even if it seems like a legitimate website such as Google, PuppySpot, Craigslist, or even staged as a rescue?

Janie: First of all, Google, PuppySpot, and Craigslist are NOT legitimate websites to buy dogs from. We do not recommend ever buying a puppy online or from a website that sells thousands of puppies from hundreds of breeders. We call those puppy broker websites and they absolutely sell puppy mill dogs, so you would be supporting cruelty. Not to mention, many puppy mill dogs end up having health, genetic, and or behavioral problems.

Cathy: If you had to leave people with 3 tips to always remember when searching for a new pet to add to your family, what would they be?

Janie: 1. Please consider adoption first, there are so many wonderful animals looking for forever homes.

2. Never buy a puppy from a picture sight unseen over the internet. It is very important to meet the mother, see her condition, and how she lives. It’s important because you will have your puppy for 15+ years. It’s in your best interest to know where your puppy came from, and you don’t want to support cruelty.

3. Do not assume a popular breed, designer mix, high price, professional website, or USDA license means a breeder is responsible.

Cathy: If someone buys a dog from a puppy mill thinking they are still “saving them” from the situation, how does this still support the work of breeders?

Janie: It’s simple supply and demand. If we buy, they will supply. I think people like to say they saved the dog they bought from a pet store or from an online puppy mill because it makes them feel good even though they know it’s bad but they don’t want to admit it.

Cathy: Do you have any tips for where/how to report puppy mill cases?

Janie: Report a suspected puppy mill. Actually, last November a woman made a consumer complaint to Stop Online Puppy Mills and we acted on it right away. It led to the bust of a puppy mill where over 600 dogs and puppies were living in deplorable conditions.