g pet sotres that run the puppy mills industry, adopting and fixing your pets, and collecting signatures to ask Jean Charest to finally make a law in Quebec to ban puppy mills. People show have to get a permet to breed animals. There should be a limit on how many you can breed at once and inbvestigators making sure future pets are well fed, have exercise and receice vetenarian care. Why is Quebec still the puppy mill capital of North America when so many of us hate puppy mills? Ask the governement.What is a puppy mill you ask?
The Canadian Kennel Club Policy Statement – Definition of a Puppy Mill (Effective March 2002)
"The term “Puppy Mill” generally refers to a high-volume, sub-standard dog-breeding operation, which sells purebred or mixed breed dogs, directly or indirectly to unsuspecting buyers. Some of the characteristics common to puppy mills are: (a) Sub-standard health and/or environmental issues; (b) Sub-standard animal care, treatment and/or socialization;(c) Sub-standard breeding practices which lead to genetic defects or hereditary disorders; (d) Erroneous or falsified certificates of registration, pedigrees and/or genetic background.
Note: These conditions may also exist in small volume or single breed establishments."
They sell primarily to retail pet sho
ps (usually via a broker), but occasionally sell directly to individual consumers. Dogs are bred solely for profit, with no concern for their physical health or psychological well-being - most are disease-ridden; all are force-bred continuously. They often use "Kennels" or "Farms" in its business name. Dogs' and puppies' are usually in squalid living conditions and are off-limits to the public.If you think you have been to a mill or have seen substandard conditions at a breeders establishment please call your local SPCA/Humane Society IMMEDIATELY to report what you saw. Only witnessed accounts can be reported.
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More on puppy mills:
Puppy mills are thought to have originated after the Second World War, when farmers, generally in the mid-west, were searching for new income generators. They decided to make money by selling dogs. The farmers had little knowledge of canine husbandry and often began their ventures with very little money and within absurd conditions. They were out of money and therefore, the dogs were highly neglected[1].
A puppy mill is a place where a lot of dogs are raised, and where breeding is done only for financial gain rather than to protect breed integrity. These dogs are then sold to pet stores. Puppy mills are places where dogs are kept in deplorable conditions with little or no medical care, and where pet stores can obtain puppies to sell at all times so puppies are always available in the store. Dogs live most or all of their lives in overcrowded cages and when fertility wanes and they are of no more use, they are killed or left to die1. These breeders can be found everywhere, in garages, backyards, basements, but are usually hidden away in the woods or in the country so no one can find them and complain[2].
The Criminal Code, which is a federal law, stated by ANIMA-Quebec “prohibits the killing, mutilating, poisoning, or voluntary maiming of animals, the voluntary causing of pain to an animal or bird, suffering or injury, unnecessarily, the abandoning of it while in distress or the voluntary neglecting or failing to provide food, water, shelter and adequate and sufficient care. Fighting or harassing of animals is prohibited” [3]. This law prohibits animal cruelty, but it is hard to obtain proof of inflicted cruelty[4]. The Animal Health Protection act, a provincial law, states very similar rules, but even has a specific section mentioning the important of cleanliness, layout and installation requirements for businesses that sell or breed animals[5]. This law, unlike the Criminal Code, does not require proof of wilful neglect, and thus is easier to apply, but still scarcely punished. One of the major reasons why puppy mills are so difficult to find and the involved criminals are so difficult to catch and punish in Quebec is that compared to our western neighbour, Ontario, that has 200 inspectors, we, here in Quebec, have a mere 5. This immense lack in supervision of our breeding industries raises the prevalence of law-breaking businesses. In 2005, the Quebec Ministry of agriculture, Food and Fisheries (MAPAQ) announced the enactment of a regulation that permits the inspection of holding, breeding and selling facilities for cats and dogs, and responsibility of the infliction of these rules was given to ANIMA-Quebec. The section pertaining to security and sanitation of these animals (law P-42) is now in effect, but ANIMA-Quebec only has five inspectors in all o
f Quebec to apply this law. With this law, ANIMA-Quebec can inspect any suspected area without a mandate because it is a government funded association. The SPCA, on their side, can only make inspections when a mandate is obtained by showing adequate visual and formal proof of cruelty situations, and complaints can only be followed if a complaint deposition is signed by the plaintiff 2. These laws, however, are easy to navigate around due to the lack of reinforcement because the breeder of these poor puppies can either sell directly to consumers or camouflage their businesses so they do not get noticed by law officials[6]. Puppy mills are clear violations of almost every law, yet of those that have been shut down in the past year, the usual punishment only includes seizing of most or all of the animals, a prohibition to own animals for a certain period of time, and sometimes, in the worst of cases, fines and community service. Quebec is the only place in North America that does not have proper applied laws against animal cruelty and the operation of commercial kennels[7].Living conditions of dogs in these types of businesses will now be discussed, and information will further be examined in the next section about a particular investigation. In most puppy mills, dogs are kept in wire bottom cages that are too small and overcrowded. Dogs are kept in their own excrements, and often times, if wire-bottom cages are kept one on top of the other, feces and urine will fall from the top cage to the one underneath. Instead of cages, some puppy mills keep their dogs in a run, which is a larger enclosed space, where the dog is on the floor but caged all around. While these are a bit better for cleanliness and less traumatizing to the dog’s paws, they are still overcrowded and do not get cleaned. There is also no heat in the winter, and no air conditioning in the summer, so many dogs can get sick from the cold in winter and die of heat stroke in the summer. The reproductive female starts her career at 5 months where she is placed in a cage where she will be bred, give birth, and stay with her pups until they are sold. The process starts over again 2 to 3 times a year until she is no longer useable. Her first heat is at 6 months, and she starts to reproduce at that early age. During pregnancy, the bitch receives no vet follow up because the breeder does not want to pay extra fees2. As mentioned, she gives birth to her puppies in the already overcrowded cage and because there are so many dogs, bitches will accidentally kill their pups by walking in them. Puppies also often get their paws caught in the wire bottom floor and either lose that limb or suffer terrible injuries. Food provided is dirty and contaminated, and the water is worse. Food and water is not always provided. In an ideal situation, puppies are weaned away (gradually removed) from their mother at 8-12 weeks of age. In puppy mills, puppie
s are abruptly taken away at the age of three weeks[8]. This is bad emotionally and behaviourally for the puppies, and dangerous for the mother because when pups aren’t weaned from breast milk gradually, the mother will develop mastitis, which is an inflammation/infection of the teats. These three week old puppies are put away in separate, tiny cages without food of water to be transported to another destination. Upon arrival, sick or dead puppies will often be cast away, and healthy puppies will be evaluated, breed separated, and brought to the selling locations across Canada and USA8. Mothers are often emaciated, because of lack of proper nutrition and the breastfeeding. They may develop skin diseases from constantly being covered in excrements and have paw or leg infections and deformation from constant walking on the wire caged floors. The female stops being an effective breeder at around 5 or 6, and thus is of no use to the owner. To get rid of them, they may be sent away to research facilities, killed, usually with a rifle or some other inhumane manner, or left to die alone in the same cage they were placed in at 5 months2. Dogs in puppy mills are often very matted, which causes skin irritation, are filthy, have some stage of periodontal disease, and have eye infections and ulcers. Dogs in puppy mills are sometimes debarked by ramming a steel bar down the throat and rupturing vocal cords[9].An investigation by Radio-Canada, featured on the Radio-Canada program “Enquête” on Thursday November 20th, 2008, showed the atrocities committed by puppy mill owners and definitely underlined the in depth corruption of these industries. The investigation was done by the journalist Josée Dupuis with the help of Animal Health technician Melanie Piché. These two women decided to search the internet for websites where puppies for sale were advertised, to try and reveal the truth as to where these puppies were being raised. Most ads say “raised in family/home environment”, and knowing better, they decided to investigate some places. They chose the first place on a website where the ad stated just that, and had pictures of different dogs on the same pink couch. The two women thought this was odd and went to visit the breeder near the outskirts of Drummondville. They claimed to be buying a puppy, and were only allowed into one room with a few different puppies. When they asked to see the puppies’ parents, he told them to wait and went to get them, stating they weren’t allowed in the following room. When he was gone, they went in to that same room and found exactly what they were hoping not to find. At least 100 dogs were kept in wire bottom, overpacked cages that filled the room, and when the women approached the cages, many of the females growled, stepped on their puppies due to the agitation, were covered in their own excrements, and many didn’t have food or water. When the owner found them he got angry and made them leave the premises, but the information and proof they got from that short visit was enough to fuse their investigation. They decided to find new puppy mills, but this time, showing a different approach. They were pretending to be new breeders in the business and looking for advice. The next farm they visited was the farm of Robert Beaunoyer, an owner who planned on retiring and selling his business.
They got more valuable information from this man, including the fact that the pups and dogs have never received any veterinary care, that he vaccinates the puppies himself by getting medication under the table from veterinarians, and that the only puppies who do receive medical care are those that will be sold to brokers, the companies that then sell puppies to pet stores. Dupuis and Piché buy four reproductive females from a third puppy mill owner for veterinary examination and care if needed, and then for adoption, to see if their assumption that the reproductive females are the most poorly treated and at highest medical risk. After examination, it was found that one bitch has three cancerous mammary tumours and was carrying a dead fetus, another had a severe ear infection and would only give birth to one pup, and the two last females had severe ear infections, periodontal disease, and would each have five puppies. All of the dogs had odd, withdrawn behaviour and would need rehabilitation and socialization periods. Josée Dupuis and Melanie Piché continued their investigation by visiting other puppy mills, including the notorious Rawdon puppy mill that will be mentioned later on, and continued buying females for medical exam, care, and adoption[10].Puppies from puppy mills can be found everywhere, on the internet, the newspaper, in shelters, but are mostly found in pet stores8. When puppies are transported across Canada and the USA, they are then distributed to pet stores, and upon arrival are washed, groomed, and perfumed to look attractive to clients. Their cost will vary from $300 to usually around $900, depending on breed purity. False pedigrees are made, either by the puppy mill owner or pet stores and veterinary signatures are forged. Sales between puppy mill owners and pet shop owners are cash settled2. Dogs from puppy mills will often develop diseases or conditions once they grow a bit older, and if the client comes back to complain, the pet store will usually give them a new puppy instead of reimbursing them. Pet stores can’t afford to reimburse clients because the sickness or death of that puppy was most likely their fault. In pet stores, there is still no vet care so if the puppy is sick, they won’t know before that animal is sold8. The pups that do survive and are sold to clients often have behavioural and medical problems as they age, like traumatisms from leaving their mother too early, or the long truck ride. Others, from the living conditions at the puppy mill, may develop genetic problems or long term health problems9. It is thus very difficult for clients to inform themselves on where puppies come from.
During the Radio-Canada investigation, Josée Dupuis and Melanie Piché went to a few pet stores and asked the owners or managers if they knew where their puppies come from. None of them admitted buying their puppies from puppy mills. Most stated that either they didn’t know or care to investigate, that all they asked for was to receive the puppies they paid for. Others said they didn’t need to look into it because the driver delivering the puppies said the conditions were fine10. Veterinary corruption is another issue with puppy mills. In the Radio-Canada investigation, Dupuis and Piché, undercover as breeders, asked a veterinarian, Ian Roberge DVM, the one from who Robert Beaunoyer gets his vaccines, to get a supply of core vaccines to give to their dogs themselves. The veterinarian willingly gives them the vaccines, as he does with Beaunoyer, but business is done under the table. This is illegal practice. It is against the rules of l’Ordre des Médecins Vétérinaires du Québec (OMVQ). Only Dr. Roberge has been proven guilty, but there are probably many more veterinarians in Quebec that collaborate with other puppy mills.
Different organizations that have worked against puppy mills and have participated in shutting down those industries include the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), The Humane Society International/Canada, The Canadian Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and ANIMA-Quebec. The two most important organizations in Quebec are the SPCA and ANIMA-Quebec, because they are the ones that conduct investigations, and have inspectors, whereas the other two organizations simply aid in seizing animals and rescuing them because they work on a national level. ANIMA-Quebec’s mission statement is: “ANIMA-Québec is a non-profit organization whose mission is to watch over the safety and welfare of cats and dogs through activities of inspection, education and information”[11]. Because this organization is government funded, they have the right to inspect suspected location without a mandate. The SPCA’s mission statement is: “protect animals against negligence, abuse, and exploitation; represent their interests and ensure their well-being; raise public awareness and help develop compassion for all living creatures”. Their goal is to prevent cruelty to animals and they do this through a number of actions: they receive and care for almost 25 000 abandoned animals per year, they educate the public about sterilizing their animals, advise people when adopting to prevent impulsive adoptions and respond and prosecute animal cruelty cases. This organization, although it can respond to cases, it needs to obtain a mandate from a judge to perform a seizure, unless the people from who they are seizing the animals comply[12].
April 2005 , La Plaine, Québec
10 November 2005, Blainville, Québec
February 2006 , Sainte-Agathe, Québec
19 January 2007 , Saint-Mathieu, Québec
26 January 2007 , Disraeli Paroisse, Québec
6 February 2007 , Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec
8 February 2007 , Notre-Dame-des-Prairies, Québec
22 February 2007 , Saint-Robert, Québec
18 May 2007 , Thetford Mines, Québec
26 September 2008 , RAWDON, Québec
1 march 2009, outskirts of montreal, 60 dogs rescued, given willingly by owner and still within the law
[1] Norma Bennett Woolf, “Just What is a Puppy Mill ?”, cited on http://www.canismajor.com/dog/puppymil.html
[2] Anonymous, “Puppy Factories, Kennels and Pet Stores in Quebec.”, cited on http://protectionanimale.com/usines.htm
[3] ANIMA-Quebec, “Federal Legislation”, cited on http://www.animaquebec.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15&Itemid=6
[4] Irwin Block, “Puppy Mills a Cruel Reality Across Quebec”, cited on http://www.theprovince.com/travel/asia/Puppy+mills+cruel+reality+across+Quebec/1151485/story.html
[5] ANIMA-Quebec, “Provincial Legislation”, cited on http://www.animaquebec.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16&Itemid=6
[6] Anonymous, “Inside a Puppy Mill”, cited on http://stoppuppymills.org/inside_a_puppy_mill.html
[7] La Patte Douce, “L’Horreur des usines à chiots”, cited on http://www.lapattedouce.com/dossiers.html
[8] Anomymous, “Usines à Chiots, Chenils et Animaleries du Québec”, cited on http://www.geocities.com/protectionanimale/usines.htm
[9] Anonymous, “What is a Puppymills”, cited on http://www.prisonersofgreed.org/index.html
[10]Josée Dupuis, “Attention Aux Chiens”, cited on http://www.radio-canada.ca/emissions/enquete/2008-2009/Reportage.asp?idDoc=68514
[11] ANIMA-Quebec, “Mission”, cited on http://www.animaquebec.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=29&Itemid=6
[12] SPCA Montreal, “Give Animals a Chance”, cited on http://www.spcamontreal.com/apropos1.php?lg=en
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How To: Fight Puppy Mills
available from: http://www.dosomething.org/actnow/actionguide/11-ways-help-fight-puppy-mills?gclid=CL7OudXN-6ECFVZY2godA1ThFw
Puppy mills are large commercial breeding facilities that treat the animals poorly. Think of it like a factory for animals: dogs are a product made for profit. They are kept in small cages their entire lives in unsanitary conditions without attention, let alone love, and are bred as often as possible. Not surprisingly, this can lead to tons of health problems.
Don’t buy from a pet store! Most pet stores get their animals from mills, not local breeders. If you’re unsure, ask the shop owners and find out their source. Ask for written proof.
Make adoption your first option. Check your local shelters for a potential pet. There are many dogs waiting in shelters for good homes – and 25% of them are purebred! Or, look for a dog with a breed rescue group. Scan the internet for breed-specific rescue organizations.
Know how to recognize a responsible breeder. If you are choosing to buy from a breeder, make sure you are buying from one who cares about his or her dogs. They are not interested just in the sale, but they want to place the dogs with a caring family. Read theASPCA’s responsible breeding statement to be able to identify a responsible breeder.
See where your puppy was bred and born. Ask the breeder to look at the home where the puppy was born and ask to meet the parents (or at least the mother). Also, ask for an adoption contract that explains the breeder’s responsibilities, health guarantees, and return policy.
Internet buyers beware! If you buy a puppy based on a picture and a phone call, you have no way to see the puppy’s home or meet her parents. Also, those who sell animals on the internet are not held to the Animal Welfare Act regulations – and are not inspected by the USDA.
Share your puppy mill story with the us! If you have – or think you have – purchased a puppy-mill puppy, share your story. Every bit of evidence can help to get laws passed banning puppy mills.
Speak out! Write to your local and state legislators. Join the ASPCAAdvocacy Brigade for updates on legislation!
Tell your friends! If your friend is planning to buy a puppy mill puppy, spread the word and inform them of the cruelty of these facilities. Tell them about the wonderful dogs in animal shelters!
Think globally Use the internet (facebook, MySpace, a blog, etc.) to speak out about puppy mills! Link to the site on puppy mill information at DoSomething.org or ASPCA.org.
Act locally! When people are looking to buy or adopt a pet, they will often ask the advice of their veterinarian, groomer or pet supply store. Ask the owners if you can leave flyers with them.
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How to Organize a Puppy Mill Pet Store Protest
By Melissa Maroff,
Organize a Puppy Mill Pet Store Protest
According to investigations by the Humane Society of the United States and other major animal protection organizations--the overwhelming majority of pet stores (almost all) acquire their dogs from puppy mills--this is the only way for them to obtain a continuous supply of "stock" at an affordable price, since profit is their bottom line.Puppy mills are factory-like breeding operations where dogs suffer most of their lives, if not their entire lives in stacked, overcrowded cages being bred over and over to supply pet stores with puppies and for online sales as well. They receive no exercise, no socialization and minimal veterinary care. When these dogs are no longer "useful" they are normally destroyed.Puppy mill puppies often have a host of health problems due to irresponsible breeding and neglect, yet pet stores continue to sell them for large sums of money. Many people who purchase these sick dogs can't afford the medical bills and end up giving them up to shelters.Due to the recent trend in "teacup" breeds (made popular by certain celebrities), new pet stores have sprung up that sell puppies, further enabling puppy mills to stay in business. Unfortunately "teacup" just means a dog that was deliberately bred to be undersized and likely has genetic problems.A good way to enlighten the public about the harsh realities of puppy mills and the merits of adoption from shelters and rescues is to organize a protest at a store that sells dogs. By getting people not to patronize these stores, the demand will stop and in turn puppy mills will be forced to shut down. The following are ways to make your demonstration successful.
Instructions
1. Step 1
Choose a store that sells puppies from puppy mills as the location for your demonstration. It should have good visibility from the street and parking available nearby.
2. Step 2
Alert your local police department. You may need to obtain permission or a special permit and be asked to provide the basic details such as date, time and location of the demonstration. Different cities have different regulations--but it is within your First Amendment rights--and it's free to assemble.
3. Step 3
Contact local animal welfare and rescue organizations to get their input. They can also provide you with email lists of people to invite to participate. Register with Bestfriends.org (see Resources below). It's free to join, and as a member you will have access to a state-by-state network of thousands of rescue organizations.
4. Step 4
Email an action alert to animal organizations and individuals who support animal causes. Also send out Facebook and MySpace bulletins. Include the details such as date, time and place. Ask people to make signs, bring poop scoopers/baggies for cleanup, and perhaps their dogs and/or dogs up for adoption.
5. Step 5
Place ads in local newspapers and on websites such as Craigslist, Citysearch and others that are local to your area. Put fliers up at dog parks, public parks, libraries, school bulletin boards, markets and veterinarians' offices announcing the demonstration.
6. Step 6
Alert the local news outlets including TV stations, radio stations and newspapers. You might want to schedule guest speakers such as animal organization spokespersons. It always helps to have local and/or national celebrity guests. Find out if your city allows the use of microphones and PA systems; many do not.
7. Step 7
Bring literature, such as pamphlets to pass out, in order to educate people about puppy mills. Be prepared to share your knowledge with those who pass by and express curiosity or interest.
8. Step 8
Check with animal welfare organizations including the volunteer coordinator at Last Chance for Animals (volunteer@lca.org), Companion Animal Protection Society and Best Friends Animal Society; most would be happy to supply you with signs and materials for your pet store demonstration to educate the public and create change in your area.
Available from: http://www.ehow.com/how_2150779_organize-puppy-mill-pet-store-protest.html
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Rescue Me
Written by Vanessa
Friday, 16 March 2007 11:51
Rescue Me is a project to combat the greatest preventable cruelty inflicted upon dogs, cats and rabbits which is pet overpopulation. Each year in Canada, tens of thousands of unwanted dogs and cats are put to sleep because lasting, loving homes cannot be found for them. There are an estimated 7.3 million dogs, 8.3 million cats and tens of thousands of rabbits in Canadian households. Surveys indicate that at least 6 out 10 families share their homes and their lives with their pets. We plan to adopt more animals and reduce pet overpopulation through a series of sustained long term initiatives involving engaging creative multimedia campaigns; and by working even more closely with breed rescue groups, rescue groups, foster homes and animal shelters; and through low cost spaying and neutering services and the use of non surgical methods; and pet license and id fee differentials; and by improving lost and found services; and by encouraging training courses for pet owners; and conflict resolution between landlords and pet owners.
Saving lives is a long term program of The Humane Society of Canada, which must be sustained over the next ten years in order to achieve meaningful and measurable deliverables and results.
This challenge also drains scarce human and financial resources from charities and taxpayers, which could be used to address other urgent problems facing animals. However, perhaps worst of all, the death of each animal, is an obstacle to the moral progress of society as a whole – because it reinforces the view that animals are disposable and that we have no obligation to seek an end to a problem that has plagued society for generations and whose solution lies within our grasp. The way we treat animals is a reflection of the way in which we treat each other.
In j
ust six years, two dogs and their offspring can theoretically be the source of 67,000 puppies. Cats, able to have three litters per year, are even more prolific. In theory, over a seven-year period, two cats and their offspring can produce 420,000 kittens. Rabbits can start having babies anywhere from three to six months of age, and females can become pregnant within days of having a litter. Theorically, two rabbits and their offspring can produce 8,388,608 kits in a seven-year period. The death of each animal shifts the blame away from irresponsible pet owners and on to the shoulders of humane societies who must bear the moral, ethical and practical burdens of coping with this problem. 
Help shut down puppy mills! Adopt and sign today!
A message from the Society for the Protection of Animals
For more information visit: www.nopuppymillscanada.ca
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