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Death Row Pets - The Plight of
Unwanted Animals - Part II
Death Row Pets - The Plight of Unwanted Animals
Overcrowded shelters across the United States have resulted
in the deaths of unwanted pets. This three part series explores
the desparate situation in Long Island, New York
October 7, 2004
by Alicyn Leigh
Part II
The Case Against Breeding
There is absolutely no need to breed your pet. Breeding isn't
just putting two animals together and waiting for nature to
take its course. It is an art. Professional breeders have
learned to keep bloodlines pure, with as few genetic defects
as possible. This involves years of research about a specific
breed, including the possible genetic faults that the breed
can inherit. The temperamental characteristics, color, markings
and body structure of the animal must all be taken into consideration.
"A reputable, conscientious breeder's goal is to improve
a particular breed and make certain that years from now good
specimens of that breed will still exist," explained Dr. Cliff
Conarck of the Smithaven Veterinary Hospital in St. James,
who passed away a month after this interview. "These people
have actual breeding programs based on a sound foundation
of genetics and tracking of health problems. They network
through breed clubs to keep abreast of health issues and match
the best to the best to get better."
In addition, a good breeder is involved in breed rescue,
requires litters to be spayed/neutered by the new owner and
will mark registration papers for limited registration, which
means that the pet can never have registered offspring. These
professionals register their litters with the appropriate
breed clubs or associations, such as the American Kennel Club
(AKC) or the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA).
Backyard Breeders
Some of those who consider themselves breeders have absolutely
no business doing so. They are commonly called "backyard breeders."
These people have no experience breeding, but because they
have a pedigreed pet, they think they can breed the animal.
Unfortunately, the animals involved may suffer high levels
of abuse.
Furthermore, when pets are bred repeatedly with the wrong
mate, the litter is at risk for severe deformities. Defects
for newborns include exposed intestines—a sight that is difficult
to forget—as well as blindness, deafness, and brittle bones
that will break repeatedly throughout the animal's probably
short life. Improperly bred animals can also become very aggressive,
a result of being raised without love, in torturous conditions.
"Uninformed backyard breeders put into jeopardy the future
health and welfare of the purebred dog," Conarck continued.
"A reputable breeder makes a deliberate decision to create
new life and is, therefore, responsible for that dog for the
rest of its life. How many casual breeders would be willing
to take back a dog at any point of its life? That dog is the
one that's likely to end up in a shelter, eventually being
euthanized."
There are several ways to spot an irresponsible breeder.
Typically, there won't be a sire (male) and dam (female) available
to prove that they are the parents of the offspring. In addition,
the animals are usually kept in unsanitary conditions and
the puppies or kittens are often aggressive due to neglect
and inbreeding. Backyard breeders also generally provide little
information to the buyer. When visiting a legitimate breeder,
the buyer should come away with enough knowledge to raise
that breed of puppy properly. A good breeder will add a clause
in pet purchase contracts stating that, in the event of an
owner not wanting or being able to keep the pet anymore, the
breeder may take the pet back. Referrals are also key, whether
it's from veterinarians or other owners. If you can't find
any sound referrals, something's wrong.
Puppy Mills
But if you think buying a pet-store puppy or kitten means
reputable breeding, think again. Most pet-shop puppies do
not come from responsible breeders, but from puppy/kitten
mills. Puppy/kitten mill breeders are often no better than
the backyard breeders at controlling genetic defects and are
infamous for raising animals in deplorable conditions, confined
in six-inch-high wire cages stacked all the way up to the
ceiling in dark basements.
There are approximately 5,000 puppy mills operating in the
U.S., according to the Humane Society. These are commercial
breeding facilities that sell animals to a "puppy broker,"
who then sells them to a pet store. The breeder sells the
puppies for about $35 each to a broker, who then sells them
to a pet store for around $75 each. The pet store may then
price them at $500 apiece or more.
Lisa Weisberg, ASPCA senior vice president of government
affairs and public policy, says that in the "typical scenario
of a puppy mill" there are the usual problems of inbreeding,
which cause offspring to "tend to have more congenital problems."
She says the bitches are "constantly pregnant," while puppies
are likely to be weaned off the mother earlier than is healthy,
so that the mother can conceive again. She says the dogs at
the mills are "viewed as machines" and used "until they're
spent." She described the puppies as being "lucky to leave"
the mills, since they are usually set up outdoors and the
animals are left to the elements all year round.
Audrey Pavia, pet expert and former Dog Fancy and AKC Gazette
editor insists, beware of dogs from puppy mills. "[They are]
often unhealthy, both mentally and physically." Besides their
horrific living conditions, she says, "The puppies that come
from these facilities receive no socialization whatsoever,
and are shipped off to pet shops at a young age. Many people
think they are rescuing these puppies by buying them, but
in fact, all they are doing is encouraging the mills."
Puppy mills started after WWII, when impoverished farmers
began raising dogs for profit. Most were established in the
Midwest, but now are concentrated in Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas,
Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania, according to the
organization Puppy Mill Fighters. The Pet Industry Joint Advisory
Council (PIJAC) estimates that 400,000 to 500,000 puppies
are sold each year from U.S. pet stores. Pet-store puppies
and kittens have become an alarmingly large industry.
Part 3: That
Doggie in the Window
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