Every animal has a price

While the idea of getting an animal can be exciting, it is best to be informed on where you’re getting it from. When people consider buying an animal, they usually go to PetSmart or buy specifically from a breeder. But does anyone really know how these animals got there in the first place?

Companies like Petsmart usually get animals from mills. Mills, such as puppy mills, are usually located on farms, and the motive is to breed as many puppies as possible to make money from companies who want these puppies. These mills usually treat puppies poorly as most puppies will experience overcrowding in their cages and will have limited access to food items. 

“Undercover investigations of puppy mills have revealed that dogs often had no bedding or protection from the cold or heat and no regular veterinary care even when they were ill. Health conditions such as crusty, oozing eyes, raging ear infections, mange that turned their skin into a mass of red scabs, and abscessed feet from the unforgiving wire floors all were ignored or inadequately treated,”People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said.

The main focus for these mills is to make a profit out of these animals. They usually sell animals to breeders. Some breeders will either take these animals to pet companies or sell them online. The process is usually referred to as the “Puppy Pipeline.” In the process, they usually take puppies or any animal away from their mothers at a very young age and transport them in trucks. These trucks cage a numerous amount of animals which can cause overcrowding and stress on the animals. The only regulation the truck drivers have to follow is feeding the young animals every 12 hours. It can even take over 3 days for these animals to arrive at pet companies.

“Cruel breeders and brokers are also increasingly turning to the Internet to sell puppies. Brokers might call themselves ‘puppy finders’ or ‘puppy concierges.’ Instead of physically buying and then re-selling puppies, these brokers create fancy, massive online pet stores, making ‘matches’ between their network of breeders and the unwitting online shopper,” said American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

For this reason, it is very likely to see a variety of different kinds of animals in pet stores. These animals often do not have a long life span since the abuse and neglect they face in mills. The best approach when considering buying a pet is going to an animal shelter. Animal shelters provide a safe environment for animals and give them the proper care they need. 

“Each time someone adopts from a shelter, they break the cycle of overbreeding and indirectly support the humane treatment of animals. This reduces the number of stray pets and improves living conditions for pets in overcrowded shelters. Ensuring every homeless pet finds a safe, loving home benefits them and alleviates strain on rescue organizations and local resources. This collective effort can make a real difference in addressing pet overpopulation and promoting responsible ownership” sEvaid Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.