UrbanAnimal

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Dear UrbanAnimal,

How can I tell the difference between a puppy mill and an ethical breeder? I'm looking to buy a Labrador retriever puppy and visited a breeder who had labs for sale plus quite a few other breeds. The breeder was asking $1,000 for registered labs and $500 if we didn't need the purebred paperwork. She seemed like a nice person and the puppies were adorable. But I wondered if this was a puppy mill? How can I tell for sure?

Richard

Dear Richard,

Good for you for not purchasing a pup before researching this seller.

It can be difficult to identify a puppy mill operation because it can appear in many guises. While the location you visited may not actually be the mill itself, it may be acting as a middleman or agent.

If you're paying for a purebred dog, you'll need to know about the Animal Pedigree Act (federal law in Canada), which stipulates that purebred dogs must be registered with the Canadian Kennel Club. You can purchase a dog without Canadian Kennel Club papers but the breeder cannot legally call this dog a purebred. It's not only the law; it's a matter of ethics.

Since it costs only $25 to register a purebred pup with the Canadian Kennel Club, it doesn't make sense for this breeder to deep discount $500 for unregistered pups. It is a great idea to contact the Canadian Kennel Club in advance to confirm the breeder's status.

The fact that you saw a number of different breeds for sale at this location is also questionable but the seller may have a good explanation and it's best to use your own judgment.

Here are more ways to identify an ethical breeder:

* He or she cares about the welfare of his or her pups and you may feel you're being scrutinized as a potential owner. It's a bad sign if the breeder tells you the price but doesn't ask about your lifestyle or past experience with dogs.

* You should be allowed full access to the kennel and if you feel uneasy about the smell, appearance or general atmosphere, keep your credit card in your pocket and walk away.

* The mother (dam) should be on the premises and the breeder should allow you to meet her. It's possible that the father (sire) lives offsite or the litter may be a result of artificial insemination, but the mother should be present. The breeder should be able to produce a pedigree showing the lineage of the litter that includes grandparents and great-grandparents as well.

* Ask to see health clearances that show the parents are free from genetic health problems and the puppies have been checked and vaccinated by a veterinarian. Nobody can guarantee a dog will remain healthy throughout its life, of course, but an ethical breeder does not knowingly breed dogs with health or behavioural problems.

* A purebred pup must be tattooed or microchipped before Canadian Kennel Club registration takes place and the breeder is responsible for the cost. Do not leave the breeder's property with your new pup before making sure the tattoo is in place or the chip can be read with a scanner.

Some pet stores and individuals sell animals with large price tags that often include information on the originating breeder.

Keep in mind everything I listed above.

The "puppies in the window" do indeed need rescuing and I understand why many people feel the need to "save" one. The problem is that the seller will simply replace that puppy with another one from the mill. The mill operators will be in business as long as people keep buying their stock and, unfortunately, "stock" is exactly what these animals are to the individuals and companies who produce, ship, and sell - whether it's the mill itself, a middleman, a retail store or an individual.

For more information:

Canadian Kennel Club: www.ckc.ca

Ontario Veterinary Association: www.animalhealthcare.ca

Stop Puppy Mills: www.stoppuppymills.org

E-mail jacque-newman@rogers.com with a question, comment or suggestion.