The One Thing You Should Never Buy Online is Your Puppy!
(Please watch the We The Puppies video above.)
Yes, online is great when it comes to shoes or purses, but when you are adding a furry new member to your family it could be a grave mistake. Puppy Mills are legal and most are now selling online. There are many dangers to buying a puppy based on a photo. First and foremost, there is no way to know the health or temperament of a puppy based on a photo. The majority of dogs sold online come from puppy mills, where they are taken from their mothers too early, put in a crate and shipped, trucked or delivered somewhere. These puppies can be sick upon delivery and have long term health, anxiety and genetic issues, not to mention the stress of traveling. And after making an online purchase, many buyers end up with a sick dog, or scammed and receive no dog at all.
Meet the Mother… And See First Hand Where Your Puppy Was Born
Do your homework. Puppy mills are legal and any breeder can be a puppy mill. They will never tell you they are a puppy mill, that is why it is important to meet the mother dog and see where and how she lives before you buy the the puppy. Learn about what red flags to look for. Responsible breeders don’t send their puppies to the first person that sends a deposit, they want to meet you and encourage you to visit their home, so you can see where the puppies and their mothers live. After an in-person visit, it’s up to you. Did the dogs there look happy or well adjusted? Were they afraid of people? Does the breeder use Paypal, Venmo or other quick payment methods? Does the dog come with a contract? Responsible breeders will always take their dogs back if you are unable to properly care for it. A good breeder truly cares where their puppies will be living.
Help Us Eliminate the Horrific Cruelty and Abuse of Puppy Mills
Most people don’t know anything about puppy mills. Any breeder can be a puppy mill. They are large or small dog breeders that breed puppies for profit. They can have anywhere from 10 to hundreds of breeding dogs. The mother dogs end up being breeding machines, kept pregnant in cages day and night. Worst of all, they are denied vet care. Many of these breeders keep their dogs in dark barns, which is legal. These dogs are not properly groomed or allowed proper exercise or socialization. And many of these dogs are living and breeding with painful untreated conditions. And of course, these conditions can easily be passed on to their puppies. The best way to eliminate puppy mills is to never purchase a puppy online or from a pet store. Always Meet the mother dog and see the conditions yourself, first-hand. Keep in mind, your dog will be part of your family for 14 plus years, so please make sure you do the right thing when it comes to buying that new puppy. Here are photos of legal puppy mills.