Commercial Breeders Love Rescue Groups

Commercial dog breeders view dogs as livestock and a “cash” crop. Most of these folks started out in other types of factory farming and failed. They then turned to dogs in the hope of an easier crop. They make no distinction between “farm” animals and “house” pets. In order to understand why it’s so important to not provide them with a source of income, you must understand this simple truth. As long as there are buyers at auctions for a particular breed, that breed will continue to be at auctions. The auctioneers and sellers care not where the money comes from; money is money. They count on rescue groups to purchase the dogs other breeders don’t want.

The auctioneers pitch goes like this to the crowd. “Where can you start your business for $800 and triple your money in a year? Breed her twice a year sell the 8 pups for pets;, sell through a broker to pet stores or here at the auction.” The auctioneer continues, telling the crowd “I was brokering 350 dogs per week. It’s easy! Go to the internet see what’s selling. Cross them with other breeds. There’s a lot of money in dogs. Look at the prices. This is a great business.”

How do I know? I was there. This is the reality of dog auctions, and you must understand that first, in order to determine the best way to deal with them. People who truly love dogs and take a special interest in a particular breed have paid exorbitant prices to rescue their breed from such a fate. The problem is the puppy millers recognize outsiders. The khaki slacks, button down shirts, wife and child are a dead give away. Millers utilize shills to bid up the prices when rescue groups are present. I recently witnessed a group of 20 Kerry Blue Terriers sell for a total value of $16,975. It is believed that many went to well intended rescue groups. This high selling price just created a demand for more dogs at future auctions! Such expenditures, though well meaning, encourage and enable puppy millers. These guys count on dog lovers to be emotionally impacted by the conditions of a puppy mill dog’s existence. It is impossible not to be. I understand and appreciate the motivation. Unfortunately, we encourage puppy millers by making the sale of dogs profitable at auctions, as there is little pet store market for our breed.

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