OHS Position Statement: Puppy and Kitten Mills
Puppy and kitten mills are usually homes or farms where people collect and breed dogs and cats with the single goal of producing as many animals as possible in order to maximize profit. Overcrowding, poor sanitation, and lack of proper nutrition, ventilation, and veterinary care are common conditions in many breeding mills. These conditions often lead to poor animal socialization and poor animal health.
The OHS opposes such breeding mills.
The OHS supports dog and cat breeders who place a priority on the following aspects of a responsible breeding program:
- The health and well being of the breeding pair.
- The short- and long-term well being of the offspring.
- The overall dog or cat population to which they will be adding.
The OHS strongly encourages people to research breed types, breeding parents, and previous offspring, and to visit breeding facilities prior to adopting a cat or dog from a breeder.
The OHS actively supports the rehoming of abandoned pets by retail pet stores.
The OHS is opposed to retail establishments that sell pets which have been acquired from breeding mills. Purchasing these animals creates the demand for these mills to continue their irresponsible practices.
For information go to:
- Checklist for acquiring a dog
- Thinking about a cat
- Code of Practice for Canadian Kennel Operations: http://canadianveterinarians.net/
Approved by the OHS Board of Directors April 2008.
