Dark Side of Dog Mills

Photo courtesy of DOGMILLREHOMERS

PETS Magazine recently visited a freshly abandoned “dog mill” located in Pasir Ris to learn firsthand the dark trade of indiscriminate dog-breeding.

Basically, a “puppy factory” is where dogs are bred for their puppies which could then be sold for profit. The abandoned dog mill in Pasir Ris was a sorrowful sight of desperate dogs – over 75 of them – housed in cramped, filthy conditions.

Many of these dogs are diseased and deprived of proper nutrition, medical attention and love. In fact, most of the dogs never had the chance to leave their cages until they are too old or sick to reproduce. Once past their usefulness, they are often abandoned or put down. Still, dog mills exist because there is demand for puppy trade – some disreputable pet stores get their supplies of young puppies directly from them.

The breeder of the now defunct dog mill had tried to sell off the dogs, most of which were sick and emaciated, to other breeders in an effort to recoup his losses. Thankfully, a group of dog rescuers heard about the plight of the innocent, hapless animals and banded together to help save and re-home them.

Most of the rescued dogs have tick fever, scabies or other skin problems that are difficult to treat. Under the care of the rescuers and volunteers, these dogs are being treated for their conditions and nursed back to health. The team has also had a few of the dogs dewormed. Unfortunately, three of the rescued dogs could not be saved in time and died, despite the team’s best efforts.

Dogs that are in extremely bad condition have been given top priority and fostered out. Fostering refers to the intermediate stage during which the dogs are given medical attention and taken care of until they are healthy enough to be adopted.

The rest of the dogs, aged between one to 10 years of age, are being temporarily housed. The dog rescuers and volunteers (including vets) work tirelessly to ensure that the dogs have everything they need, from clean kennels to medical attention. Some of the dogs already have potential adopters, subject to careful screening by the rescuers who want to be sure that the adopters themselves will be able to provide the dogs a second life. Part of this screening includes a series of interviews, interactive sessions between the potential adopter and the dog and even house visits to ensure that the adopter can provide a safe home for the dog.

The dedicated team of dog rescuers and volunteers hope that this incident will bring to light the inhumane world of dog mills and push the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) of Singapore to set firm and ethical guidelines for all existing and potential breeders. The team has also planned various activities to raise awareness of indiscriminate breeding. One such event was the “Stand up against puppy mills” fund-raiser, held on the 23rd of April 2010. The event included a film screening on puppy mills.

In order to carry out their praiseworthy plans, the team of Samaritans requires a substantial amount of money and supplies to care for the abandoned dogs. If you wish to donate, email dogmillrehomers@hotmail.com with the subject heading “DONATIONS – MONEY” or “DONATIONS – SUPPLIES”, to find out how you can help. The team also needs serious and dedicated volunteers to help out with cleaning the kennels, carrying supplies, cleaning up waste and washing, feeding and walking the dogs. Email dogmillrehomers@hotmail.com with the subject heading “VOLUNTEERS” with your name, age, number, available days and experience if you want to volunteer. If you’d like to adopt or foster one of the dogs, you can check out http://dogmilllrehomers.blogspot.com/ to find out more.