To the editor:

Thank you, Lawrence Journal-World, for your “Puppy love” editorial of June 5.

Unfortunately many people still aren’t aware of what a puppy mill is. They are mass breeding facilities or factory farms, if you will, for purebred dogs. The adult dogs live out their lives in wire cages producing litter after litter. When they are “used up,” they are either sold at auctions or killed on the premises. The conditions are deplorable. And since there are so few USDA inspectors, a puppy mill might be inspected once a year at best.

And yes, there are many good breeders in Kansas. However, people need to know the signs of a bad breeder or a puppy miller and when to walk away:

¢ they are breeding more than two breeds

¢ the parents are stacked outside in wire cages or locked away in a building

¢ the breeder will not let you see the parents and/or will not even let you on their property (they will ask to meet you somewhere)

¢ the puppies don’t appear to be in good health

I attended a puppy mill auction a few years back and I’ll never forget what I saw. The auctioneer was holding up an old, terrified little female dog saying, “Come on, who will give me $20? You can still get one more litter out of her.” Please don’t support this kind of cruelty. Like the editorial said, support your local shelter and rescue groups. Visit www.petfinder.com to adopt your next loving pet.

Ann Wilson,

Lawrence