Commercial Breeder:One who usually has several breeds of dogs with profit as the primary motive for existence.The dogs may be healthy or not and the kennel may be clean or not.The dogs are probably not screened for genetic diseases,and the breeding stock is probably not selected for resemblance to the breed standard or for good temperment.Most commercial breeders sell their puppies to pet stores or to brokers who sell to pet stores.
Broker:One who buys puppies from commercial kennels and sells to retail outlets.Brokers ship puppies by the crate-load on airlines or by truckload throughout the country.Brokers must be licensed by the USDA and must abide by the shipping regulations in the Animal Welfare Act.
Buncher:One who collects dogs of unknown origin for sale to laboratories or other bunchers or brokers.Bunchers are considerd lower on the evolutionary scale than puppy mill operators,for there is much suspicion that they buy stolen pets,collect pets advertised as "Free to good home",and adopt unwanted pets from shelters for research at veterinary colleges or industrial research labs.
Backyard Breeder:A dog owner whose pet either gets bred by accident or who breeds on purpose for a variety of reasons.This breeder is usually ignorant of the breed standard,genetics,behavior,and good health practices.A backyard breeder can very easily become a commercial breeder or a puppy mill.
Puppy Mill:A breeder who produces puppies hand over fist with no breeding program,little attention to puppy placemant,and poor health and socialization practices.A puppy mill may or may not be dirty but is usually overcrowded and the dogs may be neglected or abused because the breeder can't properly handle as many dogs as he has.Puppy mill operators often denigrate hobby breeders and their dogs in attempts to make a sale.
Unfortunately,some people who are well ensconced in your local dog scene could be categorized as operating puppy mills.Prospective buyers should be carful to question anyone they are considering as a source for a puppy.
It you think you've found a puppy mill and wish to report it there are several actions you can take!!
Call your local rescue association!!Any rescue organization should be ready and willing to help.Call the police,call whoever you think will listen,BUT CALL!! |
