06/29/2023
Summer is here! When alot of people make the decision to adopt a puppy due to more time in their schedules.
As a licensed breeder with my County for 25 years this Fall, I would like to bring awareness to something that's been a re-occurring issue in Southern Ontario and beyond over the years.
That is, puppy mills and (non-reputable) backyard breeders.
Even with policing efforts, they still exist in operation and continue to be detrimental to unsuspecting individuals and professional liscenced breeders.
For any Folks out there hoping to be future puppy owners, it's important that you know how to identify both.
I have coached many folks who are looking to adopt a healthy puppy that will add years of joy to their home but are suspicious they might be dealing with a non-reputable breeder..., to ask One main question... "Do you hold a liscence to Breed puppies?"
Follow up by asking for their Bylaw control officer or Vet's contact number. A legit breeder in good standing will not hesitate to give both!
At a bare minimum, they should be able to produce several references (permission granted from said previous clients) from over a range of years.
If the answer is no to either of these questions, it is often cause for caution.
That's said, there are individuals out there who are backyard breeding their healthy adult dog responsibly, and the follow-up questions would look slightly different.
Before you make the (life) investment of purchasing a puppy, at a bare minimum, the said puppy should have PROOF of being Vet checked, have all appropriate vaccinations to date according to age, and be dewormed twice by 8 weeks.
Asking about the parents bloodlines and health is always a good question also.
I hope this helps someone out there to make a more informed choice.
If it's not you, then pass this along to anyone you know looking to adopt a fur baby... you could save them a "Lapfull" of heartache!
