| The dogs whose stories are told below were lucky in a way—they survived long enough to make it out of the puppy mill and into to the arms of people who cared about them. But many of these survivors died not long after because of physical ailments and emotional scars that developed due to the lack of veterinary care, bad breeding, poor conditions, lack of socialization and maltreatment common at Puppy Mills
Abby
Abby was purchased in Michigan after her owner answered a classified ad for AKC-registered Labrador Retrievers. Her owner was given only a handwritten vaccination record at purchase. Within a few days, Abby became gravely ill and tested positive for Parvovirus. She also had a severe urinary infection, ear infection and roundworms. The veterinarian felt she had only a 30 percent chance of recovery. After several days of intensive care hospitalization, Abby beat the odds and survived Parvo. Her family sued her breeder in small claims court. He continues to sell AKC-registered dogs through the classified ads. Pepper
Pepper was born in a puppy mill in Arkansas and was sold by a Missouri-based broker that supplies puppies to pet stores nationwide to a pet store in California. Within hours of purchase, Pepper showed signs of neurological problems. He was diagnosed with an incurable, hereditary brain disorder. As he ages, Pepper has progressively longer "spells" during which he cannot walk, eat or stand on his own.
Top Secret
Top Secret is an adult terrier who was used as a breeder at a Missouri puppy mill. Due to a lifelong lack of veterinary care, Top Secret suffered from painful and severe dental infections. All of his teeth rotted and he lost part of his lower jaw. Top was rescued and has been treated, but he can no longer shut his mouth all the way and does not have full use of his jaw. Top Secret has now been adopted into a loving home. Greta
Greta was purchased from a small-scale puppy mill breeder who sold puppies along an Arkansas roadside. Greta had two kinds of mange and other infections. Today, more than a year after her purchase, she still suffers from recurring bouts of mange and requires ongoing veterinary treatment. Greta's owner was later told that at least one of Greta's littermates had died due to the conditions in which they were living. Abby
Abby, a toy poodle, was purchased from a puppy store in Massachusetts. When she was still just a puppy, Abby had trouble walking and was diagnosed with luxating patellas (dislocating kneecaps), a common congenital problem in small dogs of poor breeding. Abby's vet said her condition was one of the worst he had ever seen. Her family spent more than $1,600 on two surgeries to correct her knee problems. Abby's family told The HSUS, "We feel horrible for falling into the 'puppy mill trap.' We only wish we knew then what we know now." NaMona
NaMona is a Cocker Spaniel/King Charles Cavalier Spaniel mix who was purchased from a puppy store in Maryland in the fall of 2006. Within a day of purchase, NaMona was diagnosed with kennel cough, which quickly progressed to pneumonia. Despite early treatment, NaMona came very close to death. After her owner found her barely breathing one night, she rushed her to an emergency veterinary facility at 4 a.m., where NaMona spent days in an oxygen tent. "If this puppy dies, I'll never get over it," wrote her owner. NaMona finally pulled through. Her buyer spent far more money on vet bills that she did on NaMona's purchase price. Cindy
Cindy was used as a breeder dog at a Florida puppy mill for about six years. She was finally freed by the local animal control department when they confiscated Cindy and others and fined their owner for cruelty. Due to the long-term lack of veterinary care, Cindy had lost most of her teeth and suffered from heartworm disease. The heartworm disease was treated, but the resulting damage to her heart has left her dependent on heart medications. Cindy was very shy and confused at first. She was in her new home for six months before she developed the courage to bark. Although her heart will always be damaged from the preventable effects of heartworm disease, Cindy is finally living a good life after her years of abuse. She now enjoys life as a pampered family pet. Claire
Claire, a Bichon Frise, was purchased at a puppy mill auction in Missouri. She was marketed as a good breeder who would "help put your kids through college." Claire suffers from a severe neurological impairment and is partially blind and deaf. Had she not found her way into a breed rescue group, she would probably have spread her genetic conditions on to many future generations of dogs. Now re-named Samantha, Claire beat almost astronomical odds and found herself in a loving adoptive home. Her disabilities will be life-long, but she has been spayed, so she will never have offspring who will suffer the same fate. Ashley
Ashley's family purchased her from a "breeder" after seeing an ad in the back of a popular dog magazine. Ashley was shipped on an airplane from Kentucky to Illinois, so her family never met the breeder or saw where Ashley was born. Ashley began developing seizures in puppyhood. For 10 years, she has been taking daily medications to control her seizures. She has also suffered from thyroid disease and congenital hip problems. Her owner later found out that Ashley's breeder was shut down for running a puppy mill. She wrote, "I love my Ashley dearly, but she has endured so much because of the conditions and poor quality that she was born into. The moral of this story is to investigate thoroughly the breeder from which you plan to get an animal." Stevie
Even though Stevie has no eyes, she was used as a breeding dog in a Florida puppy mill. One vet who examined Stevie said that she was probably born without her eyes, and that her condition was most likely caused by inbreeding. Stevie was rescued after the puppy mill was shut down in the summer of 2006. She is now living with a loving adoptive family. Draco
 | | Draco before. |  | | Draco after. | Draco, a German Shepherd, was purchased as breeding stock, but when the person who purchased him did not want to deal with his skin condition he was neglected and then abandoned. When Draco was rescued he was 40 to 50 pounds underweight and had been living outside in the cold with no fur or body fat to keep him warm. He was suffering from an untreated thyroid condition and extensive skin infections, and his prognosis was so poor that a vet suggested euthanasia. But his rescuer persevered and managed to restore Draco to health by giving him the proper food and veterinary attention he had so long deserved. Draco has now been neutered so that he cannot pass on his genetic problems. He is now in a loving, permanent home.
Purchasing your dog from a pet store is aiding in the ways of the Puppy Mills. Please, lets help stop the suffering of innocent puppies and dogs and learn how not to support Puppy Mills.
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