WHAT IS A PUPPY MILL?

While doing research I came across many articles written about the wholesale dog industry. In September of 1992, Life Magazine wrote an article called "Not Fit For A Dog". The author of that article was Mr. Jack McClintock. He wrote:

"Puppy mill" is a postwar American coinage, used to denote commercial breeding operations that mass-produce supposedly pedigreed dogs for sale in pet shops across the nation. These establishments first proliferated-and were decried-in the 1960's.

The 1960's were not the first time that an author broached the subject of the use of animals for human gain. In 1903 Mark Twain (Ironically, a Missourian and my favorite author of all time) wrote a very controversial story in Harper's Monthly. This story, called "A Dog's Tale" was nearly a century before its time and yet only Mark Twain could get away with writing a story like this…in 1903 or 2003. The story starts in the normal Twain captivating way:
My father was a St. Bernard, my mother was a collie, but I am a Presbyterian.

Over 60 years went by before the subject made its way into the public eye. When I feel like I will never make a difference in the world of the wholesale dog industry, I need only to remind myself of a wonderful dog named 'Pepper'. In a rare and classic stand made by Sports Illustrated in November of 1965, "The Lost Pets That Stray To Labs", by Coles Phinizy, started out:

It is fence-mending time on Capitol Hill now, and the halls of Congress are deserted-except perhaps for the ghost of a dog named Pepper.

This story was quickly followed by Life Magazine in February of 1966. "Concentration Camps For Dogs", written by Michel Silva, took the 'in your face' approach to public awareness:

The dog's name is Lucky. He is a lemon-colored English pointer with a fine head and subtle signs of good, expensive breeding.

Lucky and Pepper paved the way for what we now know as the Animal Welfare Act. But Lucky and Pepper were only dogs. They had no voice in their life…or their deaths…so we are left with the voices of Mark Twain, Coles Phinizy, Michel Silva and Jack McClintock.

I hope to follow in the footsteps of these wonderful men. The Internet has given me the resources to do this. I hope to be the voice of the millions of dogs that have lived and died in puppy mills throughout the United States.

So, what is a puppy mill? Plain and simple it is no different than a steel mill, sawmill, grain mill or paper mill. A puppy mill is the starting point of a product that is mass-produced and destined for the retail industry…via wholesale channels. Puppy mills don't have to be dirty, they don't have to be illegal, they don't have to have sick and dying dogs…they just have to produce dogs for the wholesale dog industry.

I hope that you enjoy my website. I hope you find it factual and easy to follow. My name is Kim Townsend and I am the author of this website. My only goal of this website is to educate you about the real truth behind the wholesale dog industry. I'm not a group or organization. I'm not affiliated with any animal rights groups or humane organizations. I am one person here to educate you so that you will be able to make a difference in this world.

Every one of us has a 'gift' to give when it comes to animals. Some of us can foster homeless animals, some of us can help with transporting homeless dogs to new homes, some of us are ready and able to accept a homeless animal into our families. Still others are in a position to educate through media. Some have financial resources available to help, others can write letters and organize petitions. There is something for everyone that is willing to get involved. I can't help you decide what you should do. One thing is certain; you must first be educated before you can proceed. I hope I accomplish that so that you…and thousands like you…can be the voice that Pepper and Lucky never had.

"Dr. Anna M Platt, Supervisor of the Virology Lab at the Animal Disease Laboratory in Centralia, Illinois, has sent the following information to the ISVMA. This article is published due to the urgency of this situation and to alert members regarding.......

STREPTOCOCCAL TOXIC SHOCK SYNDROME IN DOGS (APRIL 1999)

The early symptoms are depression, weakness, rigor, febrile (105 - 107 degrees), shock, DIC, blood in feces and urine, with rapid progression to coughing up blood and severe bruising of the skin. Dogs can appear normal in the morning, by noon showing lethargy, and die within 2 to 4 hours. The route of infection is inhalation of Streptococcal organisms. Treatment is effective if early, with IV injection of Penicillin G or other appropriate antibiotics. Drugs such as Baytril are of little benefit because they are primarily for gram negative bacteria. From cases reported to me from veterinarians, there is usually a stress factor; participation in dog shows, estrus, change of environment, shiping, etc.

This syndrome has been confirmed at all Florida greyhound racetracks during January and February resulting in the closing of some race tracks as well as the quarantine of dogs. Cases have been reported in Alabama, Texas, Kansas, New York and Wisconsin. There is concern as the Greyhound racing season comes to northern states that there will be continuing outbreaks as most of the initial cases WERE NOT in Greyhounds. There is also reasonable proof of human transmission to dogs.

Dr. Fenwick is available for support and personnel, and encourages calls if a local outbreak is suspected. (Phone 785-532-5650)"

HOLISTIC GUIDE FOR A HEALTHY DOG

VACCINES: POTENTIAL PROBLEMS

Vaccinations are also responsible for many allergic reactions we see in dogs. Because of the severity of some of these reactions, both short and long term, vaccines have become a hugely controversial subject. The veterinary community is becoming increasingly aware for the potential dangers of the combination vaccines and the routinely given annual vaccinations.

Our purpose here is not so much to question the underlying validity and benefits of vaccinations as to make th reader aware that the manner in which they are used may be detrimental to the do's health--specifically, the kind of vaccine given, the practice of giving several vaccines at the same time, the timing of the inoculations and annual booster shots. Moreover, some breeds have extreme, sometimes fatal reactions to vaccines readily tolerated by other dogs.

Vaccines have the potential to cause allergic reactions in any dog. No tow dogs are alike, and what may be tolerated by one may be extremely toxic to another. For some, getting yearly vaccines can produce a myriad of small reactions that build up and get worse each year they receive their vaccines. Giving several vaccines at once instead of spacing them out over a period of time can create reactions in many dogs. Symptoms will appear anywhere from 10 to 21 days after the vaccine has been given. These vary from lethargy, joint swelling, gastrointestinal upset, lameness, seizures, wasting, thyroid and adrenal gland disease and general lack of vitality and energy.

Immunologists are finding a direct correlation between the increase in autoimmune and chronic disease states and the overuse of vaccines. Breeders have had entire litters wiped out after using Parvo vaccines. Some breeds, notably Rottweilers, who were subjected to weekly doses of Parvo vaccine in the late 1980's were riddled with bone cancers and died around the age of 4 years. The Lyme disease vaccine is thought to have been responsible for the collapse of some dogs' immune systems, and a recent study at Cornell University suggests that treating the disease is less risky than getting the vaccine.

Some European veterinarians now believe that the benefit of many vaccines are outweighed by the risk and that the dog is better off either not being vaccinated or being vaccinated only for distemper and parvo. There is also a growing concern about the scheduling of shots. It is becoming recognized that bombarding a puppy with multiple vaccines several times during the course of a few months has an adverse effect on an immature immune system. For example, the young puppy bought at 7 weeks, having already received vaccines while the breeder, goes to a new home and then visits a new veterinarian, who immediately vaccinates again.

The reason that puppies are vaccinated so heavily during the first few months of life is that the protection from disease they receive through their mothers milk wears off anytime from 6 weeks up to 20 weeks. They are then vulnerable to many diseases. Vaccinating puppies is supposed to protect them. The problem is that maternal antibodies interfere with the efficacy of the vaccines. Because there is no easy way to find out when these maternal antibodies stop working, multiple vaccines are given to puppies to protect them when maternal antibodies no longer provide the protection.

Jean Dodds, DVM, a noted veterinary immunologist, also challenges the number of vaccines used. She asks why a Toy Dog ad a giant breed dog should get the same amount of a vaccine when the blood volume of each dog is so different? She also talks about the "shedding" of live virus vaccines. This means that if you have on dog in our household vaccinated with live vaccines, that dog sheds the virus through skin and feces for 10 to 21 days after receiving the shot. The other dogs in the household are exposed to this and pick up their own immunity from the vaccinated dog. If one of those other dogs has an autoimmune disease, exposure to the shedding can be extremely dangerous to that dog.

Dodds asks, " Why are we causing disease by weakening the immune system with frequent use of combination vaccine products? After all vaccines are intended to protect against disease."

MODIFIED LIVE versus KILLED VACCINES

There are two types of vaccines used in veterinary medicine: (1) modified live (MLV) and (2) killed (inactivated). In MLV the viruses are altered to decrease their virulence or ability to produce disease yet retain their ability to stimulate the immune system. In order to produce enough antigen to cause immunity the MLV must replicated after your dog is vaccinated. Because the MLV do not replicate, it is felt they produce a stronger and more durable immunity. Because a live virus is being used, there is a decrease in environment and return to a more active form and cause a "vaccine induced" disease. Immunologists agree that modified live vaccines are not always the best nor suitable for all animals.

Killed vaccines cannot replicate and they are not able to cause infectious disease in the vaccinated animals. As a result, they are much safer. It is not well recognized that a properly prepared killed vaccine is preferable to an MLV die to the increased safety for both the vaccinated animal and the environment.

There are some drawbacks to the killed vaccines. Although all licensed killed vaccines meet the current USDA efficacy and safety standards, they produce levels of protection that are lower and of shorter duration. The are more expensive because they contain adjuvants (a substance added to the vaccine to improve the response) and larger doses are needed to make them effective. Because of the use of the adjuvants, there is a greater chance for adverse reactions at the site of the injection (hard masses).

As the effectiveness of the killed vaccine continues to improve, the safety of killed versus MLV fare overshadows its drawbacks. At this time the only vaccine that is not available in the killed form is distemper.

TOLERANCE

Vaccinating your dog has to be an individual decision on you part. Some people, prominent breeders among them, have experienced such dreadful side effects from vaccines that they are raising dogs without vaccines at all. Some have found that by not vaccinating, their "puppies" mortality rate is lower than when they were vaccinating. They are, however, compensating by feeding their dogs naturally and boosting their dogs' immune systems with the appropriate homeopathic remedies. There are breeds of dogs that have a poor tolerance for vaccines--- solid -colored dogs, those breeds with a lot of whiter coloration in the coat, giant breeds, Rottweilers and imported dogs.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

If you have a dog that has had a bad reaction to a vaccine, or you know four sure that you own one of the breeds that is susceptible to vaccinoisis, get a veterinary certificate to this effect. In most cases this will be honored.

You don't have to give your dogs any vaccination except rabies. There are drawbacks to this position. If you want to take your dog to an Obedience class, enter Matches or shows, to seminars or take the Canine Good Citizens test, proof of vaccinations may be required. Leaving your dog in a kennel when you go on vacation or even having routine surgery done at your veterinarian may require having your dog vaccinated.

For the dog deficient in Vitamin B is possible that either a vaccine will not work properly, or if the dog is experiencing severe stress at the time of the vaccine is given, side effects could develop. It is therefore advisable to give the dog some B complex several days before the vaccines and continue for the several weeks after the vaccine is administered. Remember that vitamin B works better in conjunction with vitamin C. Both of these are water-soluble vitamins and are flushed through the system in 4 to 8 hours. You can add a small amount of fresh raw beef or chicken liver, which contains vitamin B, to your dog's food during this time period. These supplements should be part of your daily routine with your dog if you are feeding commercial dog food.

You can also talk with your veterinarian and explain that you would like the vaccinations spaced out at least by 3 weeks, and here possible, for only single vaccines to be used. If your puppy or dog shows the slightest side effect from the vaccine anytime up to 10 to 21 days after the shots, bring this to the attention of your veterinarian. Do not get the vaccine until you dog's sensitivity has been checked out. Continuously use the same vaccine that caused the symptoms can create enormous problems. This is particularly true in the case of Parvo and Lyme disease vaccines. If your dog has experienced side effects, there are homeopathic remedies that can detoxify these side effects from some vaccines.

If your pet is not left in kennels on a regular basis or is around other dogs much, the use of kennel cough vaccine is hardly necessary. Many veterinarians have some to the same conclusion about the corona vaccine. Sometimes the dog finds it easier to deal with the disease itself than the side effects from the vaccine. The continued use of leptospirosis and hepatitis vaccine is questionable. Both diseases are contracted from a rat and deer urine, and unless you are in a rat-infested area or one that contains herds of deer, it is unlikely that your dog will come into contact with these diseases. IF you do need to use then. do so at 9 and 15 weeks. Look at the the suggested vaccination schedule below, which is provided by Jean Dodds, DVM.

VACCINATION SCHEDULE

6 weeks	DM	Distemper, Measles
7 1/2 weeks	Parvo	killed
10 1/2 weeks	Parvo	killed
12 weeks	DA2 P	Distemper, adenovirus parainfluenza: kidneys are now mature enough to cope
14 weeks	DA2 P
16 weeks	Parvo	killed
18 weeks	DA2 P
20 weeks	Parvo	killed
24 weeks	Rabies	killed
16 months	Booster DA2 P	you can do a titer test to see if the 16- and 17- month boosters are necessary
17 months	Parvo	killed
18 months	>Rabies	3 years-killed

ALL VACCINES EXCEPT DISTEMPER ARE KILLED

Care must be taken that when the DA2 P is given, the P is for parainfluenza and not Parvo. Leptosporosis should be given at 12 and 16 weeks, if you live in an area where this disease is endemic. Ask your veterinarian.

If you have a very healthy female who was up to sate on vaccinations before she was bred, you may want to spread out the above schedule for the puppies over a long period of time.

In order to minimize the side effects of vaccine, homeopathic products can be used to build up the puppy prior to vaccinating and to detoxify any side effect after the shot. Supportasode should be used daily during the first months of the puppy's life all through the vaccination period, and Viratox for one week after each vaccine has been received.

TIME TO VACCINATE

The best time to vaccinate adult females is between seasons, when there are no hormonal changes going on in the body. Make sure you write down the day the bitch's season started, and count 12 weeks forward from that point. Blood work and hip X-rays, as well as any surgery, should be suggested during this time frame.

ANNUAL CHECKUP

According to Robert Kirk, writing in KIRK'S CURRENT VETERINARY THERAPY XI-205, a textbook used in all veterinary schools, there is no immunologic reason that would necessitate annual revaccinations. He tells us that as a practice it lacks scientific validity or verification. Immunity to viruses persist for years or for the life of the dog, and revaccination does not add to that immunity. Given the potential adverse side effects, it is best no to revaccinate. Presumably the practice developed as a means of bringing the dog owner into the veterinarian's office on an annual basis so the dog could get a checkup.

WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE AN ANNUAL VETERINARY VISIT.

If you choose not to vaccinate yearly, have you veterinarian check the titer or immune level of your dog with the blood test. If your dog shows immunity to distemper, parvo, kennel cough and os on, a vaccine isn't needed at that time. If the titer is low, the vaccine is needed.

When you take your puppy for the rabies vaccine, make sure that it is separated by at least a month from other vaccines. After the first shot, subsequent rabies vaccine last for 3 years. Numerous side effects from aggression to chronic long-term disease have arisen when dogs are exposed to yearly rabies vaccinations. Even though some states have legislated that puppies have to have a rabies vaccination at 3 to 4 months, try to wait until your puppy is 6 months old. A puppy's immune system is immature during the first six months of life and cannot adequately deal with so many vaccines all at the same time.

When in doubt, talk to your veterinarian and find out his or her position on vaccines. Look for a veterinarian who is aware and up to date on current thinking and research being done on vaccines. Avoid the 5, 7,or 9 combination vaccines. When you get a vaccination for your dog, have your veterinarian write down on you dog's record the batch number or the individual vaccine so if ther are problems with the vaccine, it can be traced back by lot to the manufacturer.