Puppy Mill EXPO?!

We've got a similar ad that runs constantly in out paper - the local AKC club. Maybe they worded it weird to get some of those pet-store-puppy-buyers attention?

Out AKC club ad says something like - "BREED REFURAL. Meet with local breeders and learn all about your favorite breeds." ect.

It iratates me, but atleast the people that just HAVE to have registered dogs have an outlet to do they're homework.

akc meet the breed, is completely totally different than a venue or exposition, that sells dogs. No puppies are allowed to be sold on the grounds of any AKC event, actually. You are not even supposed to BRING them if they are not entered but people do...why I don't know. They are unlike the cat shows in this respect.

Not sure what ads you mean...but I doubt it's for an actual AKC sponsored event if they are actually selling dogs on site.

Gina, I didn't know that - the last AKC show I went to was 4+ years ago, and I know someone was talking about a litter of puppies they had for sale(Borzoi(sp?) I think) I can't remimber if they were they're or not. I don't remember seeing may puppies at that time.....hmmmm..

edited to fix my train of thought thats splitting in 4 directions today

I called one of the numbers in the ad.  Definitely a group of puppy millers coming to sell puppies.  Just in time for Christmas. Argggh.  I think I'll do up some handouts and make an appearance.

you can certainly make deals, network, etc all you want...but technically in the Premium list it says plainly "no unentered dogs on show grounds"...and selling there is also prohibited. But it IS up to people reporting incidents which doesn't happen often enough IMO.

from the AKC rulebook...

we have those up here as well, Jackie...they're typically packaged in with the Reptile and Bird expo's.

JackieG

I called one of the numbers in the ad.  Definitely a group of puppy millers coming to sell puppies.  Just in time for Christmas. Argggh.  I think I'll do up some handouts and make an appearance.

I must know - what kinda crap did they try and feed you?

Which reminds me - the other day I was in a pet store. They had 2 Shih Tzu's and 2 Boxers. The Shih's were rather fat, but priced acourding to size(big suprize...right?) but the Boxers is what got under my skin! No lie - 2, 9 - 10 week old Boxer pups, one male and one female, and I could count they're ribs! I was so mad, my Mom drug me out of the store before I could make a seen. $500 for an underweight and probably sickly Boxer. I ranted for the entire 2 hour ride home. I think my Mom and brother understand my outlook on pet stores, puppy mills, and the people that buy from them - HA!

misstrouble

I must know - what kinda crap did they try and feed you?

A man answered the phone.  I said I saw the ad about the puppy expo and he said hold on, his wife came to the phone.  I asked her what this puppy thing was and she said it was a bunch of breeders who all get together and travel around to sell puppies.  I could hear a lot o' dogs barking in the background.  I asked her what breeds she sold and she said she ONLY sells four right now but there will be lots of breeds available. I asked her if they will actually have puppies there for sale and she said of course!  I said I didn't think a responsible breeder would be traveling around selling puppies to complete strangers.  Also, I said, isn't it stressful on the puppies to be traveling?  She kind of got a clue at that point that I wasn't looking to buy one of her puppies and said she had to go.  She called me back (caller id isn't always good) and said that all the breeders are licensed by the USDA and the puppies were all healthy and guaranteed.  I said, well good luck on finding some suckers, there's one born every minute.  We hung up on each other.

Wow. It's sad that people actually do that. I'd show up with pictures of puppy mills and the conditions and info on the health problems and set up right in front of the entrence - passing out info on what they're about to buy.

I will be there.

 Ewwww!!! That sounds horrible!!! I hope they don't come to my area. I don't need to get into trouble, LOL. The local puppy mill had a booth at the fair, so I didn't go. They were selling PARSON RUSSELL TERRIERS at the FAIR!

That's an issue too close to my heart to deal with rationally.

I'm glad you'll be there JG.  The shelters will all be full in a month or two when peoples' impulse buys start knocking down the Christmas trees and peeing on the kids' new toys which are now more fun than their new puppies.   It's so disgusting, I can't believe they call themselves breeders and won't be screening potential owners, just selling them at an expo like they would shoes or sweaters or whatever else disposble that they can make a lot of money on.

 Have you thought about contacting the people who run the location where this thing's supposed to happen?  Often if you educate them you can get something done about the whole event (like certain restrictions on selling, independent vet on site, etc.) and/or whether one ever happens there again. 

You'll also likely want to call AC to make them aware this is going on as they may want to be there to check the condition of the animals and ages to ensure no laws are being broken. 

stardog85

Have you thought about contacting the people who run the location where this thing's supposed to happen? 

I have been considering that.  It's a local VFW and I have a contact at another VFW in town that I might could get a name from.  Never hurts to say that Joe Blow from the *****branch gave me your name and number.  Unfortunately, VFW's are  always hurting for money and they love any chance to rent out space.  The local AC is in a tiny satellite community.  I did call them yesterday and they were not aware of this event.  They have only two full time employees so not sure that is going to do much good. I'm calling them back today in the hopes of speaking to one of the actual AC employees.  I spoke to a volunteer yesterday.  I'm sure these "breeders" choose this type of venue so they don't have to deal with big city AC's and laws.  They are adept at skirting around the law.  I will continue to pursue this.