Be wary of dangers with 'puppy mills'

I would like warn readers about dangers to be aware of when getting their next dog.

Recently a family friend purchased a Chihuahua puppy from a pet store .

Although the friend has always adopted from shelters in the past, she got caught up by an adorable puppy and the idea that she was getting a purebred dog from a reputable breeder.

Since bringing the puppy home, it has had a variety of health problems and is still under doctor's care.

Many people spend hundreds of dollars to buy a healthy looking puppy only to find out soon after that he is seriously ill and requires costly veterinary care to save his life.

I believe this dog is a perfect example of a puppy coming from a puppy mill.

Puppy mills are breeding facilities that produce purebred puppies in large numbers and sell them to unsuspecting consumers.

They are inhumane, designed to maximize profits, and commonly disregard the physical, social, and emotional health of the dogs in their facilities.

Because of these conditions, puppy mill puppies are more likely to have physical and behavioral problems than dogs from good sources.

Puppy mills lurk behind the beautiful Web sites, ads in the local newspaper, even behind the doors of a nearby pet store.

The best way to stop puppy mills from continuing their abuse is for consumers to stop buying the puppies they breed. Many people like my friend think they are "rescuing" a puppy by buying one. Don't be fooled, you're just creating space for another puppy to be sold.

People who love dogs need to help stop them from being mistreated by making sure they aren't supporting a puppy mill.

Agnes Szemborski

Schaumburg