Puppy Mills list

[Kelly]

I was just reading Jessica's thread about Smudge and thought.. hmm.. I wonder if it would be possible to start a list of questionable breeders, ones that would fit the 'puppy mill' steriotype. And if we can do that, can we post them here so that the next time Jessica or any of us for that matter, decides to go purchase a new furbabie, we can see if that breeder is listed here?

Or is there a website already doing that??

I wouldn't want to do this if it would get Sheltie Nation in trouble of course. I just think it'd be nice if we did our best to help others out..

My biggest concern is having a breeder be misrepresented in that group. I don't need angry emails from breeders saying they are being badmouthed.

Maybe thread to list criteria a puppy buyer should look for in a breeder? I can make it a "sticky" thread that will stay near the top of the breeding forum. It should be succinct & easy for a new puppy buyer to understand.

In the end, it is always the puppy buyer's decision and education of that buyer should be the goal.

 

[BarbV]

My biggest concern is having a breeder be misrepresented in that group. I don't need angry emails from breeders saying they are being badmouthed.

Maybe thread to list criteria a puppy buyer should look for in a breeder? I can make it a "sticky" thread that will stay near the top of the breeding forum. It should be succinct & easy for a new puppy buyer to understand.

In the end, it is always the puppy buyer's decision and education of that buyer should be the goal.

I did wonder at what point this was going to be a problem which is why I asked you the question a few days ago

It's a really fine line, and I understand if you need to draw the line. I think we can handle this through more circumspect ways.

That is "I think I've a mill that operates in <these areas>, if you want to know more, please PM me.

 

[Smudge]

Maybe having Smudge's breeder call might not be a bad idea. If she calls can you send her over my way? I've got some vet bills she needs to take care of for me. I've been trying to get in touch with her for about 8 months or so.

For some odd reason she keeps avoiding me. Hmmm...

 

[Strider]

My biggest concern is having a breeder be misrepresented in that group. I don't need angry emails from breeders saying they are being badmouthed.

Maybe thread to list criteria a puppy buyer should look for in a breeder? I can make it a "sticky" thread that will stay near the top of the breeding forum. It should be succinct & easy for a new puppy buyer to understand.

In the end, it is always the puppy buyer's decision and education of that buyer should be the goal.

Awesome idea Kelly! Maybe have folk throw together a punchlist of things to watch for and then have someone skilled in wording (wink Susan or Barb or about a dozen others on this forum!!!) retype it and post it to a sticky!!

 

[romeosangiovese]

Found a website that might help get us started - http://leostory.org/ (see especially the Types of Breeders page)

 

[ruckusluvr]

if anyone gets a puppy from portland, TN I know someone to stay away from.
she is a BYB that HAS shown. her dogs look great. but she has not show in many many years. no health testing done, and many of her dogs have aggression issues.

 

[Smudge]

Awesome idea Kelly! Maybe have folk throw together a punchlist of things to watch for and then have someone skilled in wording (wink Susan or Barb or about a dozen others on this forum!!!) retype it and post it to a sticky!!

That might have been a good idea, except for two things:

1. We've had lots of threads on this before
2. People wanting a puppy NOW don't care and they do the wrong thing anyway.

 

[BarbV]

Awesome idea Kelly! Maybe have folk throw together a punchlist of things to watch for and then have someone skilled in wording (wink Susan or Barb or about a dozen others on this forum!!!) retype it and post it to a sticky!!

I'd be happy to be an editor and contributor!

 

[Strider]

That might have been a good idea, except for two things:

1. We've had lots of threads on this before
2. People wanting a puppy NOW don't care and they do the wrong thing anyway.

True, true.. but if we can do something to even reach/help one person, it's something.. I doubt we're going to put them out of business but for those folk that do want it, lets help them

 

[Silaria]

That might have been a good idea, except for two things:

1. We've had lots of threads on this before
2. People wanting a puppy NOW don't care and they do the wrong thing anyway.

Agreed, but... yes there is a but.

Unfortunately there are people that don't want to learn. You can talk to them about the "right" and "wrong" way to go about buying a dog, warning signs, etc. until you are blue in the face and they'll just do the equivalent of sticking their fingers in their ears and going la la la la la at the top of their lungs. The 'instant gratification' nature of today's society doesn't help either.

Even providing a list of known puppy mills or other bad breeders isn't going to solve that problem.

We also need to consider the fact that this is Kelly's playground and, while she allows us to get away with quite a lot, I can understand her caution regarding labeling breeders as 'puppy mills'. It could potentially open her up to a libel suit if she allows the information to be posted. I'm sure none of us want that.

If the best compromise Kelly can offer us is the ability to post a sticky of the "do's and don'ts of looking for a puppy" that is certainly better than nothing. Even if we educate 1 in 10 we've done some good.