Awareness can only help….

[Mantis]

Hey Guys,

I don’t normally do this, but this is important. You all know I have 2 basenji boys now and recently lost my basenji girl rescue. She was rescued from a puppy mill in Nebraska with many other basenjis and died from a genetic disease that was not treatable.

I only knew of her terrible experiences from word of mouth and her physical state. I have never seen a video like this and want to share it with you. This has been sent to me from a basenji rescue group. If anyone wants to help out with the text mentioned below, please contact myself or Brat. I am not trying to push anyone into action.

My hope is that after you see this video you will be able to share with others about buying dogs from stores vs. loving homes. My rescue girl was one of the sweetest natured pets I have ever owned. She did need extra love and understanding but what she gave me in return was so beautiful that I will never forget her. - Betsey

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[Ninabeana26]

Not only did this video clip make me cry but the comments below it really made me mad. People are actually blaming BREEDERS for the overpopulation of pets & overcrowding in shelters. People are so uneducated! I made sure to make a comment about the reality of legitimate breeders vs. the BYB & puppymills.

[youngandtired]

I think most of the people that buy from pet stores (I got my B at one) don't know about puppy mills. I learned about them on this forum, and you can bet I would never buy one from a pet store again. I can't hardly watch that video on utube you posted, it is so terrible. I wish someone would put that man in a box and let him get feces all over him, and not treated when sick, it almost made me sick in my stomach. How can someone be so heartless, the all mighty dollar is so powerful. It made me so mad when he said,"These dogs have been good to me". Because of the money he has made on the puppies, what a jerk!:mad:

[lvoss]

@Ninabeana26:

Not only did this video clip make me cry but the comments below it really made me mad. People are actually blaming BREEDERS for the overpopulation of pets & overcrowding in shelters. People are so uneducated! I made sure to make a comment about the reality of legitimate breeders vs. the BYB & puppymills.

Yes, lack of education is part of the problem but a large issue is that our society is filled with people who want what they want right now. There is also a prevalent attitude that everything is disposable. So many people who come looking at the shelter I volunteer at have the attitude that it is OK if the dog they pick isn't the right fit because they can always just drop it back off when they are done with it. It is sickening to listen to some people. The ACAs are so disheartened to have people come and identify a dog in holding as their own only to say they will not pay the fee to get the dog returned because they can go get a new dog for free.

It is not breeders that are the problem, it is our society.

[Mantis]

comments below it really made me mad.

could you quote the comments that made you mad.

For those of you that have basenjis from stores. please be aware that this video is not to make you feel bad in any way. We all stumble onto this breed in so many different directions.

What is important is to share your understanding. There are many breeders out there that raise the pups like family and there are just as many breeders out there that are bad. No one group can be blamed, i think you are right in the society comment and the power of the almighty dollar.

I hope that this video will inspire some of you to reach out and help a puppy mill basenji. I hope that others will share their understanding of selecting a basenji from a good breeder/home.

Probably the safest route is to always meet the owners of the parents and meet with the dogs in person.

[tanza]

An if a person tells you that they will meet you in a park, in a mall, etc… don't do it... please learn how to select a responsible breeder....

However, Mantis, I am not sure what you are suggesting by your comment "reach out and help a puppy mill Basenji"? Do you mean once they are rescued from a mill situation?

[Ninabeana26]

"I don't see ANY REASON why someone should go to a breeder instead of adopting one of the thousands of homeless animals available. Show dogs? WHO CARES? Is having a dog you can put into some frivolous competition more important than stopping over breeding and neglect or giving a home to an animal that was abandoned and is relying upon people like YOU to give them a good home? I don't think it is. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with showing dogs, but it's just not priority here."

"I'm an absolute believer that ANYONE who breeds dogs/cats when there are millions dying due to a lack of homes, is part of the problem. Shelter/rescue mixed breed animals aren't inferior to purebreds and many are purebreds if you feel you must have one"

"There is no such thing as a "Reputable" breeder. Anyone who can look at a living, breathing animal and view it as a commodity to use in order to make money, can hardly be called reputable. Of course in our society it seems perfectly acceptable to use an animal to make money, without regard for whether or not the animal wishes to be used in such a manner."

"It is plain and simple…. when you breed an animal you are adding to the problem. Some of your puppiesyou breed will end up in a shelter, and for every person that buys a dog... there is one less person to adopt one. Everytime you breed your dog you should go to the shelter and look down the isle, and tell those animals they don't deserve a home because of who their mom and dad were. "

Just to point out a few that caught my eye...the people who made these comments are just being very narrow minded in my opinion about breeders. Here was my response:

"It is the puppymills & BYB that cause the problem of pet overpopulation & ultimately the death of innocent animals, not the legitimate breeders. My current dog is from a breeder & I LEGALLY have to give the dog back to her if I can no longer care for him. It's breeders like that who help the crowding of shelters. It's the mills who destroy breeds & cause shelter crowding because they are solely for profit. Point the finger at puppymills not at breeders who btw DO NOT end up making nearly any profit from breeding. "

[lvoss]

The comments that you have selected are exactly what the supporters of mandatory spay/neuter use. When a responsible breeder counters that their puppies do not end up in shelters because they use a contract requiring the return of their dog no matter the age or reason and microchip prior to leaving so the pups can always be linked back to them then they use the but one less home will adopt a shelter dog. I am a member of BRAT and have done home visits and dog evaluations, I am an active volunteer at my county animal shelter, and I am a responsible breeder. I can honestly say as someone who can see all three sides of this that a responsible breeder does not contribute to the problem they fill an important niche. When I am talking to some families that are interested in adding a pet, a shelter dog is not going to be the best choice because their needs are very specific. A rescue may be a better fit but for some the best fit will be a responsibly bred purebred puppy. That does not mean I stole a home for a shelter dog, it means that I made the best possible placement for the household and hopefully started a long term relationship and commitment to responsible pet ownership.

[ELERICKSON40]

Thank you for everyone's input because I also purchased Trixie from a Pet Store and that video made me sick!!!!!! I would not trade her for anything and I am hoping that we have no issues with illness with her. I also did not know about puppy mills!! I would have never supported any type of breeder who knowingly abuses or neglects his animals. I have been known to call animal neglect on my neighbors when I watched a puppy who had no water when it was 95 degrees outside!!! (I used to go and give him water every day). I have become so much more knowledgeable since joining this forum and for that I am appreciative. I do plan on getting another B and will do my research before doing so.

[ELERICKSON40]

I would also like to add that I paid a lot of money for Trixie and thought I was getting a registered dog that was at the top of the breed!! I don't know if anyone else has ever been ripped off like this (I feel like going to that pet store and raising hell) but it makes me feel dump and stupid!!!! I have had many dogs over the years and we bought all the other ones from breeders and visited the homes so I guess I should have known better but I truly had no idea that these pet stores purchased these dogs like they do!!!!

[Mantis]

However, Mantis, I am not sure what you are suggesting by your comment "reach out and help a puppy mill Basenji"? Do you mean once they are rescued from a mill situation?

I am sorry, there is a BRAT discussion on another forum discussing a potential bust of a puppy mill in the future. I would suggest that anyone who feels the need to contribute to helping basenjis- keep an eye on the brat site, or email me and I can put you in contact with the person who mentioned it.

[Quercus]

@Mantis:

I am sorry, there is a BRAT discussion on another forum discussing a potential bust of a puppy mill in the future. I would suggest that anyone who feels the need to contribute to helping basenjis- keep an eye on the brat site, or email me and I can put you in contact with the person who mentioned it.

Let us know, as things unfold Betsey! I bet there would be a lot of folks here who could help in different ways.

[Mantis]

Here is what was sent to me:

An auction at a similar puppy mill will be held in Missouri March 7. Tonya, Yvonne, Finkles and I all have puppy mill dogs we are currently fostering. None of us have room for more. Please let me know if you are willing to foster a dog from this up-coming auction, especially if you live within a day's drive of MO. (It is very difficult to place fosters more than a day's drive away.) The rehabilitation of the puppy mill adults can take weeks to months, while pups are easily placed. They have advertised 6 adults, 4 females and 2 males, for sale. We do not know if their 15 pups will be sold at the auction.

For those of you who are considering adopting a puppy mill basenji like this please be aware that it is a tender pursuit. My puppy mill rescue was one of the younger pups (1-1/2 yrs) in a group and she took a lot of time to mentally heal. Basenji experience is a major bonus. Another basenji in the house helps the healing process as well. Sometimes the other dog can communicate what you cant. What I provided my girl was positive and repetative training, a loving home and complete and utter security. She always new she was safe. She loved and interacted with the 10-15 basenjis at the dog park and learned to socialize. She had food aggression, seperation anxiety from Caesar and took 2 years to potty train. Everything was managable. Fed seperate, spent time socializing, and took her to the bathroom like I would a puppy! Cake!

I will never forget my first meeting Beta (tearing up here). We went to the Newberry rescue in Gainesville that had rescues. We brought Caesar with us who was around 2yrs at the time. They brought in Beta and she immediately peed on the floor with blood in it. **Caesar went directly to her and started kissing her head.**Caesar didnt even kiss me back then! She was probably 14lbs,couldnt stand straight, feet swollen 3x the size from standing on her cage maybe?, bones showing, urine stains and had a very submissive personality. That was it for me. We came back in a few weeks once her meds and healing was done and that was it. The two were glued together for the rest of her life.

[Quercus]

So, this is more of an auction situation than an actual PM bust?

Either way, best of luck to all involved.

[ELERICKSON40]

I would be curious to know where in Missouri this auction is being held because our Trixie came from Missouri (if the paperwork I have for her is correct) I do have the breeders info on these papers. Just kind of curious?! I would love to go to Missouri and get one of these poor B's but being in Florida would probably not be too close!

[Mantis]

from my knowledge that is limited in so many ways, this sounds like a puppy mill selling out to close or be shut down. I have no more information than what you see and am not the rescue coordinator by any means. When I hear more I will share it.

[tanza]

There are a number of auctions that go on all the time in the MidWest. It is either that a puppy miller is going out of business and selling everything and sometimes a bust… but I think if I remember from one of our BCOA and BRAT members, Jennifer that attends auctions when she can, most are from going out of business and some for "trading" stock... She has purchased many dogs from auctions (Basenjis) and helped get them placed.

Is this something new that BRAT is doing? Purchasing from Auctions?

[sharronhurlbut]

BRAT only tries to get b's from puppymills that are closing.
We try to get them out of the endless breeding cycle.
BUT going to a puppymill and buying a basenji just makes them seem
more desirable to the pm breeders.
So, those poor dogs are just stuck in he**.
Sigh.

[sharronhurlbut]

Sorry, I meant to add that not only are funds to bid for these dogs needed, but foster homes are as well.
Its tough as these dogs are so bent re the way we see our beloved pets, that it takes time for them to just get used to being inside, or the sounds of daily life, things like dishwashers, cooking dinner, just people talking or laughing.
Sometimes its takes months, sometimes they only make small improvements, and that is all you get, sometimes they bloom.
But oh, I think it so important to get them out of the puppymill breeding cycle.
Sigh.
If I was Queen of the World, all animals would be cared for and loved.

[tanza]

I know when Jennifer goes to an auction, she will not pay high dollars for a B.. and tries to get them in "buy a group" situation.. especially if there are pups, but she says those are the hardest to get… usually it is the "old" used up bitches or stud dogs that go cheap... and please do not get me wrong, I am not saying that they do not deserve a chance for a happy home... only stating facts as they have been told to me.