Breeding: A Tragic Future
One female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 dogs in six years. One female cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 cats in seven years.(1) Approximately 70,000 puppies and kittens are born in the United States each day.(2) Because the number of animals far exceeds the demand for them, millions of homeless animals suffer from abandonment, abuse, starvation, disease, weather extremes, painful deaths, or procurement for laboratories.

According to The Humane Society of the United States, an estimated 6 to 8 million dogs and cats are surrendered to animal shelters every year. Nearly half must be euthanized for lack of homes.(3) In light of these tragic statistics, no form of breeding can be considered responsible. Those who breed animals for profit and individuals who let their dog or cat have a litter contribute to the dog and cat overpopulation crisis. Every newborn puppy or kitten means one home fewer for dogs and cats who are desperately waiting in shelters or roaming the streets.

Puppy Mills: A Life of Abuse
While it can be hard to resist a cute puppy for sale in a pet store, a closer look reveals a system of unsanitary, miserable conditions. That puppy probably came from a “puppy mill,” a breeding kennel that raises dogs in cramped, crude conditions. Confinement and a lack of adequate veterinary care and socialization often result in animals who are unhealthy and difficult to socialize. As a result, many are abandoned within weeks or months of their adoption by frustrated buyers—further exacerbating the tragic overpopulation crisis.

Female dogs are bred twice a year and are usually destroyed when they are no longer able to produce puppies.(4) Mothers and their litters often suffer from malnutrition, exposure, and a lack of adequate veterinary care.

Puppies are taken from their mothers and sold to brokers who pack them into crates for transport and resale to pet stores. Puppies who are shipped from mill to broker to pet store can travel hundreds of miles in pickup trucks, tractor trailers, and/or airplanes, often without adequate food, water or ventilation. Breeders, brokers, and pet stores ensure maximum profits by not spending money for proper food, housing, or veterinary care.

Conditions don’t improve much when the puppies reach pet stores. Dogs who are kept in small cages without exercise, love, or human contact tend to develop undesirable behaviors and may bark excessively or become destructive and unsociable. Unlike many humane societies and shelters, pet stores do not screen buyers or inspect the future homes of the dogs they sell.

The Plight of Purebreds
Some people impulsively obtain purebred dogs, even though they may not be educated about the breed or ready for the commitment that animal companions require. At puppy mills, dogs are bred for quantity, not quality, so unmonitored genetic defects and personality disorders that are passed on from generation to generation are common. The results: high veterinary bills and the possibility that unsociable or maladjusted dogs will be disposed of by their unprepared “owners.”

What You Can Do
With millions of unwanted dogs and cats (including purebreds) dying every year in animal shelters, there is simply no reason for animals to be bred and sold for the pet-shop trade. Without these stores, the financial incentive for puppy mills would disappear, and the suffering of these dogs would end. The best way to find an animal companion is through an animal shelter or rescue group.

References
1) “HSUS Pet Overpopulation Estimates,” The Humane Society of the United States, 2004.
2) Bob Shaw, “PETCO Tests Rabbit Adoption; Cooperation With Local Rights Group Could Be Pet Model Nationally,”Saint Paul Pioneer Press 4 Jul. 2004. 
3) The Humane Society of the United States.
4) Natalie Lariccia, “A Warning on Puppy Mills,” The Vindicator 25 Apr. 2000.

Local Shelters & Rescue Groups

Crash's Landing
(616) 821-6065
crashcat@sbcglobal.net

Humane Society of Kent County
(616) 453-8900
General E-mail: humane@hskc.org

(616) 693-2490

Grand Rapids for Animals believes all animals are best kept in their natural habitat. We do not condone the use of any animal whatsoever for any form of entertainment. 

Abuse
Elephants, bears, tigers, and other animals don't want to ride bicycles, stand on their heads, balance on balls, or jump through rings of fire. Sadly, they have no choice. Trainers use abusive tools, like whips, bullhooks and electric prods, and force them to perform. 

Loneliness
Not only are these abused by trainers, they suffer from extreme loneliness, boredom, and frustration from being locked in tiny cages or chains month after month, city after city. Instead of being treated like freight that is loaded and unloaded into trucks and storage areas, these animals should be in their natural habitat, exploring, seeking mates, and raising families. If you would like to find out more about this issue, please visit: circuses.com.

Speak Out
Animals held captive in circuses, rodeos, zoos, and other entertainment venues need you to speak out for them. If you would like to join us in getting the word out to our community about supporting compassionate forms of entertainment, please contact us today.