Mill Dog Rescue Network

how and why we rescue retired breeding dogs

Although the notion of raiding puppy mills in the middle of the night and setting all the dogs free is very enticing, it’s not very realistic nor would it be legal. There are only a handful of ways to acquire retired breeding dogs. One way is to attend a dog auction, an all day affair where hundreds of dogs are sold to the highest bidder. These dogs are from mills that are either going out of business or “retiring” large numbers of dogs to make room for newer, younger breeding stock. Auctions take place nearly every weekend throughout the year across the Midwest. Another way is to buy or trade adult dogs directly from the breeders. Both of these practices create a great deal of controversy in the rescue world as many people believe that giving money to the mills for any reason only finances the future of their business.

here at Mill Dog Rescue Network we acquire our dogs in a different way

We have rescue contacts in both Missouri and Kansas that have developed relationships with several mills across those states. They have worked with certain breeders to help them understand that they can find permanent homes for their retired breeding stock rather than killing the dog or allowing it to languish on in the mill, furthering its suffering. These dogs are given to our rescue contacts and in turn, given to us. There is no money exchanged for these dogs. This is absolutely the only chance that these dogs will ever have to know what life should have always been for them.

We are all involved in this effort because we love dogs and rescuing them comes natural to us and our volunteers. However, the most important part of our mission is to educate. We have found that showing the dogs and telling their stories is the best way to help people understand their plight. The average animal-loving citizen needs to know the truth about the commercial dog breeding industry. You need to understand the anguish and the misery of the parents of pet store and Internet puppies. No matter how tempting that darling little face is in the pet store window or on the computer screen, people must stop supporting this industry by purchasing these puppies and we must tell everyone we know to do the same. This is a supply and demand problem and when enough people stop supporting the industry, things will begin to change.

Please, on behalf of commercial breeding dogs everywhere, STOP supporting the industry. Go to your local shelter or rescue group and get a dog that is already in need of a loving home. Be proud to tell others that you rescued your dog and that you are taking a stand against the commercial dog breeding industry. Together we can make a lasting difference.