The Detriment of Puppy Mills
According to the American Society for the Prevention and Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), “a puppy mill is a large scale commercial dog breeding facility where profit is given priority over the well-being of the dogs” (Puppy Mills, ASPCA). The standards governing the care of the dogs in these breeding facilities come under the federal Animal Welfare Act. The agency that is responsible for overseeing the breeding industry and enforcing the Animal Welfare Act is the United States Department of Agriculture. Unfortunately, the current AWA standards are too minimal and lack enforcement. The Puppy Mill Project claims that “The AWA also leaves significant discretion in the hands of puppy mill owners to decide what constitutes …show more content…
According to the Humane Society, the overcrowded and unsanitary conditions of most puppy mills cause many different health problems. The Humane Society noted that the stacked wire cages usually have wired floors, which unfortunately allow feces to fall through to the cages below, and allows parasites and infectious diseases to spread. In addition, the ASPCA claims that the wired flooring can injure or trap paws and legs (Puppy Mills, ASPCA). Under current regulations, puppy mills only need to provide food and water, yet the water is usually filthy or contaminated and food is often infested with maggots or mold. There is no requirement on the number of workers at a facility, so in a low budget operation it is difficult to maintain a healthy environment. According to the ASPCA, “Puppy mill puppies are prone to congenital and hereditary conditions, including heart disease and blood and respiratory disorders” (Puppy Mills ASPCA). For example, respiratory problems can be caused by the high levels of ammonia from urine that builds up. In addition, a buildup of urine and feces causes matting in many dogs fur. Unfortunately, under the present standards, these sick or injured dogs rarely get medical attention. These problems could be controlled with improved regulations and required veterinary