Second Chance At Love

Puppy mills, which operate with the knowledge of the government by calling themselves "commercial breeders", breed dogs in incredibly high numbers and usually sell to pet shops. Typically, the conditions of a puppy mill are horrid - dogs often spend their entire lives moving from cage to cage, never knowing what it's like to run around. Females are bred constantly - they have a litter and are forced to get pregnant as soon as the puppies are weaned - until they die. It's often hundreds of dogs fighting for small amounts of food and water, and most never receive veterinary care.

And although many of these dogs have the potential to have a happy ending when a nice family buys them, they are often given up at a local shelter because puppy mill dogs often have severe mental and physical conditions.

Missouri is known as a "puppy mill state", and may even have the highest number of puppy mills in the country. It's estimated that the industry is valued at 40 million dollars here. The industry isn't monitored by the government at all, because nothing is done by the government until it is too late. But there is hope.

Finally, the public eye is starting to open to the reality of puppy mills. Over the past few months, several Missouri puppy mills have been raided (after calls from suspicious neighbors) and hundreds of dogs of all ages have been surrendered to the Humane Society of Missouri (HSMO). Now, the HSMO needs your help. These dogs, starting this week, have begun to go up for adoption. These dogs have been nursed back to health, been spayed and neutered and have begun basic training. All they need now is a second chance at love. If you or any one you know is looking for a new dog (or any pet, for that matter) please tell them about the dogs at the HSMO. In order for them to continue to help dogs, they need the space to keep taking them in. There are dogs of all ages, colors, sizes and breeds. You may be concerned about these dogs having come from a puppy mill's substandard conditions, but the HSMO would never put a dog up for adoption that wasn't ready for a family. I know only a few people read this blog, but I felt compelled to say something. Please, if anyone you know is looking for a dog, pass this message on. I am even considering getting a four legged friend for the dog I have now.

The title of this blog links to the HSMO's adoptable pets page.

Signing off,
Abigail