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Illegal Animal Breeding

Did you know that over 2 million animals are illegally bred every year? There are many reasons why illegal animal breeding is bad. Once you know what illegal animal breeding is, you can learn about its impact on animals and how to help stop it.

What is Illegal Breeding?

First, do you know what illegal animal breeding is? Illegal animal breeders will adopt or take in animals and then breed them repeatedly to sell to pet stores and earn profits. Pet stores also lie about it to earn money. The reason it’s bad is pretty simple. The breeders only breed the animals for profits, so they don’t pay attention to whether the animal is healthy or not. This leads to animals being born with illnesses like kennel cough. It also speeds up pet overpopulation, taking spots in homes away from shelter animals.

Audrey T's dog, Marty

When people adopt animals from pet stores, they often get sick dogs from puppy breeders. This happened to Audrey T from Texas. She adopted a foster dog from a rescue organization that had been raised in an illegal breeder’s workplace and sold on craigslist. His name was Marty and he had splayed paws, (toes were pushed far apart and caused pain) was almost blind, and had a serial number tattooed on his ear. “When I took Marty to his initial veterinary exam, I was shocked to learn of his extensive medical issues. He had splayed paws, was almost blind and had a serial number tattoo on his little, blond bat ear—all signs of the cruelty he had suffered for so many years.” Said Audrey on the subject.

Pet Stores and Illegal Breeders

Second, did you know that pet stores often get their animals from illegal animal shelters? Often, people will buy pets from pet stores, not knowing that the animal could be sick, or injured because of its time in the stores and the illegal breeder’s workplace. They often have infections or serious diseases from being with a bunch of unhealthy animals, which could eventually kill the animal. The animals may also suffer from severe anxiety and stress and have mental illnesses like depression, causing the dogs to look tired and be withdrawn. Dogs may also stop eating or drinking or even going on walks!

Megan W's dog, Mabel

Dogs at pet stores are often from puppy mills, a kind of illegal dog breeder. Here's a story of a dog from a pet store. Megan W, also from Texas, adopted a sick puppy being kept in horrible conditions at a pet store. Mabel (The dog) was forced to live in a cage far too small for a Newfoundland puppy (Mabel’s breed) and also had to use the bathroom in it even though there was nowhere for her to. Megan adopted Mabel to be a friend to her two-year-old rescue mix. She had a cough, but the workers at the pet store said it was nothing. When they brought her home she quickly developed a rash on her stomach due to the bad conditions she was kept in. She also got parasites that caused a condition called Giardia which you get from drinking contaminated water. Even though she recovered, Megan said “Although Mabel is now a happy and healthy pup, I will never purchase an animal from a pet store again.”

The ASPCA logo

How to Help

And finally, how can you help? First of all, you can donate to non-profit organizations (Like the ASPCA) that help animals that are in tough situations. Even a small donation can help them save animals in danger. Second, you could join them. Many groups (Again, ASPCA) that help animals. They go to where the animals are in danger after the person who was committing a crime against the animals is in jail, and they save the animals trapped there. Once the animals are safe, they are often taken into the hands of the local animal shelter. Finally, ADOPT! Adopting an animal from a rescue shelter is a simple way to help the cause. By adopting from a shelter, you are helping an animal and helping stop illegal breeding by showing them that you are supporting kind organizations and not their cruel breeding.

Do you want to adopt a pet? Well first, decide the kind of pet that would be right for you. Cats are solitary animals that can left home alone for a while, whereas dogs are very friendly and rely on companionship and would get very nervous if they were home alone for a long time. Dogs love attention, and cats just prefer getting scratched on their head. If you want a dog, items I recommend would be a dog bed, a leash, food and water bowls, and a collar with your address. Items for cats include a scratching post, a collar with your address, a litter box, a cat carrier, food and water bowls, and a cat bed. Don’t forget to split the chores between members of your family and to adopt from a shelter! The ASPCA said “When adopting, you are making a commitment to care for an animal for the rest of his life—that could mean 10 to 15 years for dogs and up to 20 years for cats. As you go through lifestyle changes such as moves, the birth of children and new jobs, your animal will remain a permanent part of your life. If circumstances change, will you still be able to care for your pet?”

Now, you know what illegal animal breeding is, it’s impact on animals, and how to help. Hopefully it has inspired you to adopt from a animal shelter or to help fight against illegal animal breeding!

Glossary

ASPCA: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. They help animals that are hurt or sick that need a home and also help animals in bad living conditions

Foster: To take care of an animal prior to it being adopted

Parasite: An organism that live in another organism (the host) and survives by stealing nutrients

Solitary: To live alone

Withdrawn: To not want to communicate with other organisms

Bibliography

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