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The Humane Society of the United States Launches First National ‘Puppy Mill’ Tip Line
Dogs Don’t Deserve Lifetime Confinement for the Sake of Profit

(Dec. 3, 2009) – To help end the misery associated with large-scale dog breeding operations known as “puppy mills,” The Humane Society of the United States has launched a national telephone tip line and encourages callers to report suspected cruelty or unlawful activities involving such breeding facilities.

The hotline, 1-877-MILL-TIP, is available to anyone with information of a possible crime involving puppy mills – but particularly welcomes information from those with “insider” knowledge, or from law enforcement officials who might be aware of such operations.
“Puppy mills are a national scourge,” said Justin Scally, manager of The HSUS’ Wilde Puppy Mill Task Force. “Hundreds of thousands of dogs across the country are trapped in constant confinement their entire lives, producing puppies to profit the puppy mill owner. This tip line will be a vital tool to help free these dogs from a life of abuse.”

The Wilde Puppy Mill Task Force investigates puppy mills and works with law enforcement, animal shelters and other agencies to stop abuse and to ensure enforcement of existing laws. The task force also provides expert guidance to local, state and federal agencies in the prosecution of animal abusers as it relates to the operation of puppy mills. Since its launch in June, the Task Force has assisted in the rescue of more than 1,200 dogs and puppies from abusive situations at puppy mills.

The announcement of the new national tip line comes during The HSUS’ 3rd annual Puppy Mill Action Week, which is dedicated to educating the public about how to find a new best friend without supporting the abusive puppy mill industry. Puppy Mill Action Week runs Nov. 30 through Dec. 6, at the start of the peak holiday puppy buying season.

The Wilde Puppy Mill Task Force is named in honor of Kenneth and Lillian Wilde, who donated a portion of their estate to The HSUS to help dogs. Thanks to the Wildes, The HSUS was able to expand the organization’s capacity to rescue more animals from the inhumane puppy mill industry and to raise national awareness of the pain and tragedy that can lurk behind the inviting visage of a young puppy for unwary buyers.

Puppy Mill Facts

• Dogs at puppy mills typically receive little to no medical care, live in squalid conditions with no exercise, socialization or human interaction, and are confined inside cramped wire cages for life. Breeding dogs at puppy mills must endure constant breeding cycles.
• Dogs from puppy mills are sold in pet stores, online and directly to consumers with little to no regard for the dog’s health, genetic history or future welfare. Consumers should never buy a puppy from a pet store or Internet site; instead visit an animal shelter, breed rescue group, or visit a breeder’s home and meet the puppy’s parents.
• The HSUS supports compassionate breeders who provide for their dog’s physical and mental well-being. Quality breeders don’t sell puppies through pet stores or over the Internet. 

More about puppy mills: humanesociety.org/puppymills.

Why adopting a dog is better than buying one from a "backyard breeder" puppy mill/kennel or Pet Store

The thing "backyard breeders", puppy mills (kennels) and Pet Stores have in common is that they view animals as merchandise and are out solely to make a profit.

The parents of those cute little puppies listed in newspapers or in the window of pet stores often suffer unimaginable lives of pain and misery living out their lives in small inadequate cages of filth with no human companionship. Puppy Millers often like to refer to themselves as a "kennel", but make no mistake. All you have to do is ask them for a tour of the facility or to see the puppies mother and you will know it is actually a puppy mill.

Often those little puppies have hidden illness/congenital defects that can be costly to treat, cause lifelong problems (allergies, joint problems), or worse death.

Rescue groups like HSSI take in thousands of unwanted animals due to overpopulation. They do this because they love animals and do not make a profit at all. They want to find loving homes where animals will be a respected cherished member of a family for the rest of their lives.

The animals you will find at shelters or rescue groups are wonderful, healthy animals that range from small to large, mutt to purebred. There is no excuse not to adopt!

To learn more check out our puppy mill brochure.

Click Here to See Our Adopted Dogs!

Click Here to See Our Adopted Cats!

The animals come in day after day and we need the dollars that support them to do the same.

To learn more see our Volunteer and Donate sections

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