McMahon: Pet store fire serves as grim reminder that many buy from puppy mills

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Dear Editor:

It is with horror and disgust that I watched the news coverage of the fire at the Uncle Bill’s pet store earlier in the week. The news report indicates that at least 100 animals died, 40 of them being puppies. This is an urgent and important message to people who wish to purchase a dog: Over 90 percent of the puppies in pet stores come from backyard breeders, also referred to as puppy mills.

The unfortunate breeding adults are kept in squalid, overcrowded conditions, there for the sole purpose of churning out puppies. Some of the “breeders” live their entire lives in a cage without touching the ground. They receive little or no veterinary care, as any qualified veterinarian would not agree to be part of such an endeavor. These puppies are then sold to pet stores, who put a ribbon around them and sell them at a healthy profit. Many of these puppies have underlying health and mental issues from being raised in such a horrific environment. Additionally, reputable breeders DO NOT sell to pet stores!

Please – if you wish to add a dog to your home there are many shelters and rescue groups in Central Indiana. The shelters and reputable rescue groups are selective about the adopters and make certain that the adopted dog has the proper medical evaluations. If you are interested in becoming more active in stopping these puppy mills and backyard breeders, contact your local lawmakers and insist that this barbaric practice be eliminated through legislation and stricter law enforcement. For more information on this topic, go to PrisonersOfGreed.org.

Sharon McMahon

Noblesville