Important Information Missing from Puppy Mill News Coverage
    by Mike Fry

    Recent stories about a proposed puppy mill in Belle Prairie, Minnesota have largely missed the point.  Discussion about the potential environmental impact of 600 canines on a 40-acre lot have taken center stage in this week's news coverage, leaving more substantive questions unadressed.  There are serious economic and humane considerations that have yet to be discussed.  Among the unasked questions: Why it is that Minnesota ranks in the top 10 "Puppy Mill States" when people here are so overwhelmingly against puppy mills?

    The broadest, and maybe the most important question Minnesotans need to ask is this:  With pet overpopulation being what it is, do we really need any more large, commercial breeders of dogs or cats?  Nationally, millions of dogs and cats are destroyed in animal shelters, because there are not enough homes for them.  Therefore, do we really need another 600-dog breeding facility that will produce thousands more puppies annually?  If we are to call ourselves a humane society, there is really only one possible answer to that question.  But this question goes beyond what is humane.  There are social and economic considerations as well.

    Take the millions of dollars spent each year in the Twin Cities handling and disposing of animals abandoned by their owners.  Statistically speaking, a minority of animals purchased from pet shops remain in their homes for life.  Therefore, puppies sold from this new facility will go to major metro markets like the Twin Cities, where they will add to the already large animal control expenditures there.

    Press coverage has also, unfortunately, taken at face value the word of the would-be puppy mill owner, Gary McDuffee, that animals will be debarked in a "humane manner".  At some puppy mills, however, it is reported that debarking is accomplished by shoving a large, metal pipe down a dog's throat. This is done to destroy the folds of tissue that close the windpipe and allow the animal the bark normally.  Done this way, debarking is accomplished without anesthetic, and can result in severe complications, including death.

    From an economic perspective, it is hard to believe a puppy mill owner would invest the money to have a veterinarian debark their animals, given that the cost of the procedure would likely be more than the value of the animals to a large-scale breeder.

    It would also be nice to see a breakdown of the possible profit/loss of a kennel this size.  Because a venture of this nature is all about making money, it would be interesting to see how much money an operator would have available to care for each of their breeding animals.  The answer:  not very much.  Assuming an average sale price to a broker of between $200 and $250, a mill would only pull in around 1.2 million dollars from an operation this size.  After paying for the property, building, utilities, staff, food and water, there would be virtually nothing left for vet care, unless corners are cut in every area of the operation.

    The economics of this industry simply do not allow for the humane treatment of animals.

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    Comments from readers:
    On 03/31/2006 Kathy Cook said: Puppy Mills in MN

    It's extremely embarrasing to know my great state of Minnesota allows puppy mills. There is no good reason for commercial breeding kennels, let alone puppy mills. Puppy mills are supposedly regulated by the Dept. of Agriculture.....lumping dogs in with cattle, swine, & poultry breeding. I don't like the way our food animals are raised, but at least that is to feed people. Puppy mills are greed based and serve no useful purpose. Please, Please join this fight. We need everyone's help. Write to your politicians, government agencies, news media, and tourism industry to register your disgust. Visit prisonersofgreed.org and stoppuppymills.com for more information. This is also a national fight. Do you know that the Amish are some of the biggest puppy mill breeders in the country? Your money and your vote can speak volumes. Do not support pet shops that sell cats & dogs. Get a rescue dog or cat, or buy from responsible breeders only. Contact your local breed clubs for breeders. Be certain you know the breeding history of any puppy you are considering. Visit the home, meet the parents, check out the conditions. Do not answer newspaper ads or meet breeders away from their homes.

    On 02/18/2006 save the puppies! said: SAVE THE PUPPIES!!!!!!!!!

    i think the idea of a puppy mill is just terrible please don't do it!!!!

    On 02/18/2006 Save the Puppies said: This is evil

    I am not an obsesive. i just think that this is one of the meanest things i have ever heard. Does ANYONE want this puppy mill??? (besides the to-be owner) i dont think so! i hope this establishment will not be built, & if it is, i will be very upset & will seek out the reason for its building

    On 02/01/2006 puppymill hater said: Its just about money

    Puppymillers are never going to care for their dogs. Its all just for money.