Puppy mills are a harsh reality of today's dog breeding industry. Certainly, not all puppies that are bought and sold in pet stores originated from a puppy mill; however, it is shocking to hear the truth of these horrific mass dog breeding houses. These dogs are bred and raised with sometimes up to hundreds of other dogs at a time. This is a serious health hazard for these newborn puppies, because their cages are often filthy and unkempt. Living conditions such as these practically beg for disease and viruses to enter and grow in the puppies? bodies, wrecking havoc on their health and immune systems. Many puppy mill pets are not neutered or spayed, neither they given the proper vaccinations and preventative medications that are necessary for their health and well-being.

The majority of puppies who are bred in puppy mills are actually sold online or through newspaper advertisements, though some do appear in pet stores nationwide. Many of these puppy mills claim to sell ?pure bred? dogs, but this is not always the case. When these dogs are bred in puppy mills, they also lack the necessary and vital human interaction and companionship. Dogs are affectionate and companionable animals; when they are denied daily affection and interaction with adults and children, they suffer emotionally and mentally.

So, what can you do to help? The Humane Society recommends refusing to buy products or puppies from pet shops that buy and sell dogs. You never know where those puppies have come from. If people don't buy puppies in pet shops, there will be a significant loss in demand, that hopefully results in these puppy mills going out of business. Also, when you want to buy a new pet, adoption is a wonderful alternative. You will receive a healthy, happy pet, who has most likely already been housebroken, neutered or spayed, and vaccinated; the best part is, you will not be supporting puppy mills through your personal purchase of a puppy from a pet store.

Of course, there are more active ways you can help. The Humane Society asks people to diligently spread the word about the harsh realities of puppy mills, inform their friends of the Stop Puppy Mills website (listed above) as well as making a monetary donation to the Humane Society. It is easy to make a donation online, and it only takes a few minutes of your time if you feel compelled to give. There is also a page that gives interested people additional ideas for helping them stop puppy mills, such as lobbying for new laws that will aid in the shutting down of these mills. Becoming active in a cause such as halting puppy mill production is a rewarding and satisfying experience. Consider helping the Humane Society in their fight against puppy mills.