Buddy and Porky Pet Health – More Information On Puppy Breeders

Dear Readers,
More today about the trend toward banning sales of dogs from commercial breeding facilities in pet stores.

First of all, here is what we are not talking about – we are not talking about individual breeders who breed their dogs at home or in local kennels and then sell them from their own establishments.

There are a number of such breeders in Oswego County and they typically do a fine job of promoting the breed they specialize in and making sure parent dogs are well cared for and that that puppies go to good homes.

They are regulated by the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets.

Not that there are not sometimes problematic small breeders, but Ag and Markets does a good job with its regulations and these breeders are the least of our worries.

The breeders we are talking about are huge “commercial” operations where the dogs are raised basically as a commodity.

Although they are regulated by the United State Department of Agriculture if they sell across state lines, that regulation is notoriously lax.

There are 40 USDA regulated breeders in New York, the majority in Western New York, a few as close as Wayne County.

They do not sell directly from their commercial operation, but instead puppies are shipped to pet stores all over the United States.

We are thankful that many of the major pet supply chain stores have stopped selling commercially bred puppies and kittens and instead seriously promote adoption.

In our area, PetSmart and Petco are prime examples.

But many pet stores do still sell these commercially bred puppies, in our area that would be Petland.

No matter what these stores tell you about the origins of their puppies, they come from puppy mills.

According to the Humane Society of the United States, more than 2 million puppies are sold each year from both licensed and unlicensed commercial breeders.

On the other hand, more than 3 million dogs are euthanized each year in United States shelters, primarily because there are no homes for them.

You can understand how any effort to put a dent in this commercial breeding would also lower the rate of euthanasia.

So again, we will keep you informed about this legislative initiative and ask for your support when the time is right.

But for now – on a less serious subject, the Fur Ball is coming up!

It’s set April 28 from 5:30 to 11 p.m. at the American Foundry, West Seneca Street, Oswego.

A plated dinner, cocktail hour, music and dancing, fabulous silent auction, more fun than a litter of puppies and kittens!

Well maybe not, but still a lot of fun.

Watch for your invitation in the mail or buy tickets at www.oswegohumane.org.

The Oswego County Humane Society provides spay/neuter services and assistance, fostering and adoption of animals in urgent need, humane education programs, and information and referrals to animal lovers throughout Oswego County.

Located at 29 W. Seneca St., Oswego, NY.

Phone: 315-207-1070.

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.oswegohumane.org

Because People and Pets Are Good for Each Other.

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