If I were to remain silent, I'd be guilty of complicity.
—Albert Einstein
Sign the petition on our sister site
—Albert Einstein
Puppy Mill Free Reno/Sparks/Washoe
Washoe County has something to be proud of on a national basis. The animal shelters here work with the Humane Society of Nevada to adopt out abandoned, found, stray and surrendered animals. The "no-kill" policy in the county has become a model for others on how compassionate principals can be successful both financially and for making a caring and complete community.
If you walk into a so-called "pet store" and see too many very young puppies or kittens running around, you've come to a place that gets their animals from what is known as a Puppy Mill. This is a bad situation. You will end up with a sick puppy as the conditions in which these animals are farmed is deplorable. DO NOT BUY FROM THESE ESTABLISHMENTS! Larger pet providing corporations have learned this. You won't see cage after cage of puppies in PetSmart or PetCo. You will, however, see local Humane Societies and SPCAs providing animals needing loving homes from their shelters.
Numerous animal "owners," who for many decades have had companions from shelters and breeders, swear that a shelter animal is the better one. My buddy, who happens to be canine, was in a local pet products warehouse when I went in for goldfish food. He was there with the Humane Society and he, quite simply, stole my heart. He is a magnificent fellow, 100% on voice command. He has changed my life so much for the better. All who meet him shower him with kudos for being handsome, bright, fit, kind and for his athletic prowess. Very clearly one does not need to get a dog from a breeder when so many like Brooks are available for a small fee at non-profit organizations. Something else to think about, I've heard, but am not sure of the stats, that pure-bred dogs, on the whole, seemt to have shorter life-spans than mix breeds.