- Isla Dawahare
- Oct 12, 2022
Today, my mom and I went to Lexington Humane Society to take photos of cats and dogs as part of a school project about Gordon Parks. Gordon Parks was a photographer in the early civil rights movement who used his photography to shed light on things that he was passionate about as well as things that he thought needed to change, so I wrote an essay and took these photos about something I care about and I think a light should be shed on - puppy mills and irresponsible breeders. Here is my essay:
If you have ever heard of puppy mills, you may know how awful they are. Puppy mills are, sadly, exactly what they sound like. A mill, just like one as for paper or flour, except it's for living beings. Puppies. Puppy mills are an awful thing.
It is hard to survive in a puppy mill. Many, if not most dogs are malnourished and sick by the time that they are rescued. That is, if they are rescued at all. Some dogs, beautiful, though they are so thin, smart, though they've had nothing to learn from but hungry cries around them and evil humans, and kind, though they have no reason to be, live their whole lives locked up, many fighting for a meager portion of food, hardly enough to sustain them, for their whole lives.
But some dogs are lucky enough to be rescued by kind people who want to save them. Often, puppy mills will be broken up by animal rescues,humane societies and other people coming to the rescue of these dogs. These poor, sweet dogs, some who have lived at the puppy mill for years, are rescued. They will go on to shelters and rescues. They will go up for adoption. They will get a second chance at life. Because a dog who has lived a hard life, who struggles to keep hope in their eyes, just wants a chance. Food and water and shelter. But most of all, they want a family, a forever home with people who love them. That is what they want the most.
Our husky puppy, Blizzy, is a puppy mill survivor. We met her at an animal shelter in a small town. They were clearly trying their best to find these beautiful animals homes but, as many shelters do, they needed help. We went inside and into a little pen. And there she was, running in circles, barking and yipping, scared. I could tell what she was thinking as we approached. Who are these people? I don't know them. Are they safe? Will they hurt me? We came to her. We picked her up. She was still crazy, but I could tell the fear had lowered. A week later, she was ours. Slowly,we got to know each other. She began to feel safe with us, know us as family. Now she lays on a pile of toys and treats, finally happy. These dogs, these survivors, once they know you, are so trusting, and feel so safe with you, though they have known nothing but fear their whole life. It takes time for them to learn how to love and even more, to learn how to be loved.
Some puppy mill survivors, like Blizzy, go to shelters and get adopted fast and go home within a few days. But others stay at the shelter. These sweet dogs are still waiting to find love. They are still waiting for their forever home. Shelters are amazing, but a forever home is even better. Puppy mill survivors have experienced so much hardship and fear in their lives, they just want to go home. But many have to wait. Some pups pounce at every person they see, vying for attention. But even worse are the dogs who lay in their shelter crates, the hope gone from their eyes. Some are so scared that even with kind shelter people, they see nothing but cruelty. The taste of a warm meal is quickly overwhelmed by the bitter taste of fear. All of these dogs are waiting, none of them knowing home or love or kindness. All they know is fear and meanness. They must summon whatever strength they have left and use it to hope that someone will come along and teach them everything they don't know- love, trust, and home.
There are about ten thousand puppy mills across the United States, and over two million puppies are bred in puppy mills every year. The dogs that are rescued come out shaken and scared. But as they grow and learn how to love again, how to hope again, there is only one word that can be used to describe these dogs, and that is brave.
Puppy mills are more common than people think that they are. Almost ninety percent of dogs in pet stores are from puppy mills. Only in five states is it illegal to sell puppy mill dogs.
Puppy mills are not the only ways of cruelty. Animals, and not just dogs, even cats, are often subject to cruel humans, backyard breeders, and owner surrenders. It's not fair. Dogs and cats are amazing animals and deserve a life of peace. However, you can help save these brave animals. Firstly, you can use your voice to stand up for dogs and cats who cannot stand up for themselves. You can write letters to your lawmakers about puppy mills and irresponsible breeders and stopping them. You can volunteer your time and donate money to your local rescues and humane societies. Biggest of all, adopt from a shelter or rescue- don't shop. And remember, many voices are louder than one. Together, we can stop irresponsible breeders and puppy mills once and for all.
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