Adopt, don't shop

One way to decrease animal production by dog and cat breeders is to decrease demand.

If you're wanting to add a companion animal to your family, consider adopting from your local animal shelter or an animal rescue group. These nonprofit animal organizations are caring for tens of thousands of unwanted dogs, cats, puppies and kittens yearly.

To find an animal shelter or rescue group near you, go to:

Petfinder: Minnesota Animal Shelters

WARNING: There may be inhumane breeders posted on the above site or breeders (and hoarders) who pose as rescue groups. Before you make any purchase or adoption, please contact the organization and visit the facility first to check the conditions. A breeder that does not allow you to see how the animal is raised is a puppy/kitten mill.

NEVER buy an animal from a pet store

Reputable breeders never sell to pet stores; puppy mills sell to pet stores. Animals kept in cages for weeks or months in a pet store (waiting to be sold) is not humane treatment.

However, some pet stores offer "adoption days" where rescue groups bring in dogs and cats for that day to be adopted. Check with your local pet store for these adoption days.

NEVER buy from a parking lot or flea market

To advertise, inhumane breeders often present their puppies or kittens on beautiful websites. After a consumers calls, the breeder then suggests that they meet in a parking lot or somewhere halfway — so the person doesn't need to make the long drive to the kennel. Or they will ship the animal directly, making it easier for the consumer.

Beware of this tactic. Inhumane breeders deliberately hide kennel conditions from potential buyers. If you choose to buy, insist on seeing the kennel and dog's mother. Or consider saving an animal'sllife and adopt from a local animal shelter or rescue group.

BEWARE of marketing tactics

Both reputable and inhumane dog and cat breeders use registries, such as the American Kennel Club (AKC), to present a “stamp of approval” for their dogs. These breeders, as well as pet stores, then give these registration papers to consumers. Registration papers, however, indicate a dog’s pedigree only — not the dog's condition of health or the condition of the breeding facility.

Inhumane dog breeders have used registries as a marketing tactic, falsely implying the animal’s health and breeding conditions are excellent. As stated per the AKC website: it "is not itself involved in the sale of dogs and cannot therefore guarantee the health and quality of dogs in its registry." Unfortunately, the AKC receives a fee for each puppy registered so is reluctant to make the public aware of this fact.