We at Mid-Atlantic Pug Rescue see the devastating results of puppy mills almost every day -- dogs who are mistreated, malnourished, and unloved. Puppy mills are operated by people who want to make money, and they see mass-producing animals as a way to do it.

Animal welfare laws tend to be outdated and poorly enforced, but the good news is that there are things we all can do to help in the fight against puppy mills:

1. Don't buy anything from a pet store that sells live animals.
   Pet stores are one of the major reasons puppy mills continue to exist. They provide a marketing mechanism for puppy mills, and if these stores felt a backlash and stopped selling animals, it would help force some puppy mills to shut down. If you ever walk into a pet store that sells animals, notify the manager or owner that you do not approve of this practice and you will not do business with them as long as it continues.
2. Encourage your friends and family to ADOPT, rather than buy an animal.
   The more people who stop purchasing animals, the fewer puppy mills will exist.
3. If you REALLY want to purchase a puppy, don't EVER buy from a pet store, and make sure to RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH.
   There are good people out there who breed animals for the love of the breed. If you ask the right questions, it's easy to spot a good breeder. They aren't doing it for money, and the most important thing to them is that their puppy/kitten goes to a good home. If they are only interested in your ability to pay, rather than your ability to provide a good home, do not buy an animal from them.
4. When in doubt, re-read #1 and #2 above!

If we can educate the public about the evils of puppy mills, and get more people to adopt rather than buy (and to boycott pet stores that sell animals), we can make a real difference in how many animals need the sort of care that we so often see at MAPR.