DC Shiba Inu Rescue’s Stance on Puppy Mills

WHAT IS A PUPPY MILL?

A puppy mill is an inhumane, commercial dog-breeding facility in which the health of the dogs is disregarded in order to maintain a low overhead and maximize profits. For more on puppy mills, see our videos below.

I am a Puppy Mill Dog by DC SIR:

See an 8 hour journey of 3 mill dogs that finally got their freedom with DC SIR in our video:

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT PUPPY MILLS?

DC Shiba Inu Rescue is a huge advocate for shutting down Puppy Mills. These are places where there is no consideration for the betterment of the breed and the quality of care is horrendous.

REPUTABLE BREEDERS: ARE YOU AGAINST BREEDERS?

DC SIR supports reputable breeders that contribute to the betterment of the breed, do all necessary genetic testing, and are educated about developmental stages in puppy development for optimal socialization.

For more on how to identify a reputable breeder: Responsible breeder vs a Puppy Right Now

WHY DON’T YOU BUY THE DOGS FROM THE MILLS?

DC SIR regularly gets in older Shiba Inus that are released to the rescue for free. These dogs are at the end of their breeding cycle and would otherwise be put to sleep (PTS) without ever knowing the kindness of humans. DC SIR DOES NOT BUY DOGS FROM THE MILL. We take a very strong position on this. DC SIR constantly advocates that the public needs to stop buying puppies from pet stores because these dogs are all supplied from mills.

THERE ARE TWO WAYS PUPPY MILLS WILL END:

Through legislation set forth to shut down these operations. Click here to see puppy mill laws by state. The HSUS Puppy Mill Task Force Tip Line, 1-877-MILL-TIP, is available to anyone with information on a possible crime involving puppy mills.

Supply and Demand. STOP BUYING THESE DOGS. Not because we are cruel and want the dogs to suffer but because the very action people believe are ‘saving’ these dogs is in fact contributing to the overall problem, which keeps mills in business.

SUPPLY AND DEMAND

Yes, we hear it all the time…“I saved this puppy from the pet store.” No, you contributed to the economics that put that puppy’s parents in an endless cycle of producing litters until they are tossed aside, inhumanely killed, or if lucky, released to a reputable rescue.

Need a refresher course on supply and demand, please watch this video. Now substitute the strawberries for Shiba Inus. Economics 101: Supply and Demand in Market.

So, how can we, as a responsible rescue, turn around and do the very same thing we ask you not to do? If we go to an auction to purchase puppies and pregnant mothers, we increase the supply. We argue that Rescues who purchase directly from the Puppy Mill are contributing even more to the problem.

HOW?
When you buy a puppy from a puppy store, that puppy went through a broker. The Broker generally pays a couple hundred dollars (guaranteed purchase) from the Mills. The pet store then marks up the puppy a thousand dollars.

When a Rescue goes to an auction, they spend WAY more than what a broker pays. So the rescue provides the mill with MORE money and MORE incentive to produce MORE of that breed. This is why we DO NOT purchase puppy mill dogs and why we don’t get many puppies. However, we are adamant about adhering to the high ethical standards we ask of the public.

THE START OF RETAIL RESCUE

While this is probably less of a worry, the numbers are beginning to become alarming. There are more nefarious operations that are moonlighting as Rescues but are really a front for a money-making organization to get around the stricter laws in the puppy trade. These organizations will have a high volume of puppies, little or no senior or special needs rescues in its care; and little information on extensive care that seniors would need.