So we know that pet stores should be avoided because of their connection to puppy mills [2], but how do you know if a breeder is responsible?

To spot a responsible breeder, look out for someone who:

• Never sells puppies to a dealer or pet shop.
• Screens animals for heritable diseases and removes affected animals from breeding program.
  • Affected animals may be altered and placed as pets as long as health issues are disclosed to buyers/adopters.
• Removes aggressive animals from breeding program (alters or euthanizes them).
• Keeps animals healthy and well-socialized.
• Never keeps more dogs than they can provide with the highest level of care, including:
  • Quality food, clean water, proper shelter from heat or cold, exercise, socialization and professional veterinary care.
• Has working knowledge of genetics and generally avoids inbreeding.
• Bases breeding frequency on mother’s health, age, condition and recuperative abilities.
• Does not breed extremely young or old animals.
• Ensures newborn animals are kept clean, warm, fed, vetted and with the mother until weaned.
• Screens potential guardians. Discusses positive and negative aspects of animal/breed.
• Provides an adoption/purchase contract in plain English that spells out:
  • breeder’s responsibilities
  • adopter’s responsibilities
  • health guarantees and return policy.
• Provides accurate and reliable health, vaccination and pedigree information.
• Makes sure pet-quality animals are sold on a limited registration (dogs only), spay/neuter contract, or are altered before placement.
• Will take back any animal of their breeding, at any time and for any reason.

Want to do something about animal cruelty? Check out our Action Guides [3] section. GO [3]