Help put an end to irresponsible breeding in TN​
What kind of breeders are there?
BACKYARD BREEDERS
Backyard breeding refers to substandard breeding practices where dogs are not properly selected for genetic or behavioral qualities, are not properly socialized, and may be raised in poor conditions (think of it as a small scale "puppy mill.") This is usually done all in the name of making a profit, and this method may result in dogs with unpredictable behavior and aggression, as well as health defects.
Much different than a reputable breeder, a backyard breeder is often an unprepared, uninformed person who decides to give breeding a try. Oftentimes they don't have homes secured for the puppies before they are born, which contributes significantly to the overpopulation of animals we see today. In addition to the significant health concerns for both the mother and her litter, overbreeding is the primary contributor to the already significant numbers of unwanted companion animals, resulting in full and overcrowded shelters and rescue groups across America. Sadly, this leads to the euthanasia of thousands of healthy unwanted animals every year and an increase in animal homelessness.
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COMMERCIAL BREEDERS
Commercial breeding is an environment where a high volume of animals are raised primarily for profit, and can include dogs, cats, and cattle. Commercial breeding facilities for dogs are also known as puppy mills, and those for cats are known as cat mills.
HOBBY BREEDERS (the most responsible breeders)
Those referred to as "hobby breeders" are concerned about the future of the breed and pre-screen both the mother and father for genetic faults. They may also sell their puppies for money or other consideration, but they don't have an animal facility license.
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So what's the penalty for someone who runs an illegal breeding operation? A person who knowingly engages in the business of commercial dog breeding without being registered will be punished criminally, with a violation being a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by fine only. A Class A misdemeanor carries fine of up to $2,500.
In Tennessee, breeders who sell more than one litter of puppies per year must be licensed as a dealer, and be inspected by the state.
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Tennessee's Breeding Law
(as of '21-22)
SB511: Any person who, during a 12-month period, possesses or maintains 10 or more female adult dogs that are capable of breeding in this state at one time for the primary purpose of selling their offspring as household pets must register with the department of commerce and insurance as a commercial dog breeder.
1%
The amount of puppy mills that are actually penalized by the USDA after being cited
WHY SHOULD YOU CARE?
On average, an animal shelter can expect to spend between $2 to $5 per day per animal on food alone. For example, this means that if Maury County Animal Services is housing 100 animals, food expenses can range from $200 to $500 per day, or between $73,000 and $182,500 annually. While that's a big range, even the lowest amount is a considerable amount of money needed to sustain the shelter's animals. As a tax payer, you are contributing to this.
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With a smaller pet population and less animals in the shelter, can you imagine what other things these tax dollars could go towards? Here are just a few examples...
24,000
The number of kids that could be provided free school lunches
730
The number of potholes that could be filled
1,200
The amount of packs of reversal spray provided to first responders
Actual costs will vary widely across regions.
What we're seeing in Tennessee today is how backyard breeding can contribute to pet overpopulation – it produces produces litters without ensuring homes for the dogs beforehand. Additionally, the demand for puppies often exceeds the supply from reputable breeders and shelter animals are overlooked, leading people to purchase puppies from backyard breeders. This only enables the cycle of overbreeding and contributes to the growing population of unwanted and abandoned dogs in shelters. The results are overcrowded shelters and the euthanization of animals who are deemed "unadoptable." It's for these reasons that many suggest that backyard breeding is the biggest contributor to the unwanted pet population.
Number of unaltered female dogs In TN, a person can have up to 10 unaltered female dogs at one time (each year) without being penalized
Approximately double the amount of animals that enter a shelter are strays, as opposed to owner surrenders (often a result of overbreeding)
The biggest road blocks to change
"New research reveals that the American Kennel Club, a purebred dog registry organization that used to call itself 'the dog’s champion,' has opposed more than 450 bills that aimed to help pups since 2008. In 2023, the AKC has opposed at least 26 proposed bills in just the first six months of the year. These included several humane pet store bills that would have stopped the sale of puppy mill puppies in pet stores, and bills that would help facilitate intervention to seize dogs in suspected animal cruelty situations." -The Humane Society of the United States
Amish communities are known to be one of the worst offenders of puppy mills. Dogs and puppies are housed in extremely unnatural conditions and females are forced into continuous pregnancy until their bodies can no longer support it, at which point they're typically killed. Debarking, a surgical procedure that reduces a dog's ability to bark, is sometimes done to prevent detection in unlicensed Amish breeding mills. Since the Amish community is governed differently, the animals can’t be removed all at once like they would from a typical puppy mill. Instead, the mill owners are cited based on the number of animals they can breed. Excess puppies above that number are removed in small groups.
Simple ways you can help
1
Adopt from a local shelter or rescue
When adopting a puppy this way, you'll help decrease the overall demand for puppies which could help discourage the amount of active breeders. Plus, you'll have peace of mind knowing that they were responsibly cared for, and they'll likely have been sprayed/neutered and microchipped.
2
Report suspicious breeding activity
Signs of a backyard breeder include (but aren't limited to): no access to the parents, multiple breeds, lack of health guarantees, or allowing an adoption before the puppy is eight weeks old. If you suspect any of these things, call your local shelter right away. For more information about spotting a backyard breeder, here's a great resource.
Sources
https://www.adoptapet.com/blog/shelter-rescue/pet-overpopulation#what-causes-pet-overpopulation
https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/tennessee-breeder-bills-considered-tuesday-march-12-2024/
https://www.zippia.com/answers/how-much-does-it-cost-to-start-an-animal-shelter/
https://harleysdream.org/puppy-mills-leading-cause-shelter-overpopulation-crisis/​​
3
Share this information with lots of people
It's hard to grasp idea of any irresponsible breeder. In fact, many of us turn a blind eye simply because we feel helpless. That couldn't be further from the truth, and even those who have no opinion about animal laws, should be educated. As taxpayers, your money is likely enabling a problem that we desperately need to fix.