I found Carlos, who came to live with us on Saturday, through a post on Facebook. His original family got him from a "local breeder" a month prior to attempting to rehome him. I asked questions about his temperament, his health, their reasons to rehome. I didn't ask for information on the "local breeder".
We picked him up Saturday and he is absolutely wonderful. Happy. Healthy per our vet who he saw yesterday. Adaptable. Friendly. I am just overwhelmed with what a great dog he is and how well he fits in our family.
Upon pick up we were given his "papers". They listed breeder information and I was able to look them up. His papers are not AKC but America's Pet Registry, which seems to be originated by the puppy mill industry. His breeder breeds no less than 7 different types of dogs. No where on her site are pictures of the Havanese parents or their living conditions. To me...this screams puppy mill.
I feel very guilty about indirectly supporting a mill. Carlos is a great 5 month old puppy who will lead a spoiled life. Vet says he is healthy, well socialized, and he is already bonded to me. But I feel like I need to do something to stop this mill. Has anyone had experience with getting a puppy mill shut down? What did you do? She is a registered breeder with the state of Missouri. I am also confused because his level of socialization can't have just been the one month with his original family.
We are lucky as we found a puppy in need of a home who is healthy and well adjusted. I just want to help his parents. I am not registering him with the APRI as he will not be shown and is scheduled to be neutered. If you have experience working against mills please let me know what you were able to do.
We picked him up Saturday and he is absolutely wonderful. Happy. Healthy per our vet who he saw yesterday. Adaptable. Friendly. I am just overwhelmed with what a great dog he is and how well he fits in our family.
Upon pick up we were given his "papers". They listed breeder information and I was able to look them up. His papers are not AKC but America's Pet Registry, which seems to be originated by the puppy mill industry. His breeder breeds no less than 7 different types of dogs. No where on her site are pictures of the Havanese parents or their living conditions. To me...this screams puppy mill.
I feel very guilty about indirectly supporting a mill. Carlos is a great 5 month old puppy who will lead a spoiled life. Vet says he is healthy, well socialized, and he is already bonded to me. But I feel like I need to do something to stop this mill. Has anyone had experience with getting a puppy mill shut down? What did you do? She is a registered breeder with the state of Missouri. I am also confused because his level of socialization can't have just been the one month with his original family.
We are lucky as we found a puppy in need of a home who is healthy and well adjusted. I just want to help his parents. I am not registering him with the APRI as he will not be shown and is scheduled to be neutered. If you have experience working against mills please let me know what you were able to do.