It seems there has been a lot of news stories lately about puppy mills. Missouri was recently coined the “Puppy Mill Capital of America” according to the Associated Press, because of the large number of inhumane dog breeding businesses run in the state. After a February raid on a puppy mill in Pleasant Hope – where authorities found 93 dirty and sick Yorkshire Terriers – the state is determined to clean up its image and crack down on the bad news breeders.

These questionable breeders, both licensed and unlicensed, sell puppies churned out by the dozens from dogs that spend their entire lives in cages.  Most of the dogs and puppies are seriously malnourished and unhealthy. The pets are sold through classified ads, in pet stores and over the Internet.

You can do your part though to stop puppy mills, like those in Missouri. According to The Humane Society of the United States and StopPuppyMills.org, the simplest thing you can do is choose not to buy dogs sold in pet stores or over the Internet. If you are looking for a new dog, do your research and visit breeders, or adopt from local shelters.

You can also help those unfortunate dogs that came from puppy mills and offer to foster or adopt the pets once they are relocated to shelters in your state.  Your local shelters, humane society, and news stations might have information on such pets arriving in your state.

Find out more information and how you can help put an end to puppy mills and improper breeding techniques by visiting StopPuppyMills.org.