DENVER -- April 4, 2008

Dear Labby:

Marianne donates to the Humane Society of the United States each month, and I noticed that this month's acknowledgement letter mentioned something about "puppy mills." What's a puppy mill?

Chow for now! Parker

Dear Parker,

Oh my little friend, this is a very difficult subject.

I know this is going to be hard for you to understand because you came from a CCI breeder caretaker who provided you with the ultimate in good care. I hope you'll write a DogBlog about CCI's breeding program sometime, because it's very special.

But puppy mills are run by people who only want to breed and sell as many puppies as possible, with little or no regard for the health, safety and care of the breeder parents or the puppies. The puppies are often in poor health, suffer from genetic faults because of poor breeding practices and are not socialized. The kennels are dirty, the breeder dogs are often sick, unkempt, filthy and kept in tiny cages with little opportunity to play, interact with people or even stretch.

Puppies from puppy mills often end up in pet stores at outrageous prices. People who don't know any better think. "It must be a really good purebred puppy because it's so cute, and so expensive!" A puppy (or any pet) should NEVER be acquired on impulse! People who purchase puppies without doing any homework may unknowingly perpetuate puppy mills.

One of the best ways to stop puppy mills is to find a reputable, responsible breeder. A good place to start searching for breed information and a breeder is the American Kennel Club, www.akc.org.

OK, I can hear you asking, "How do I know the difference between a responsible dog breeder and the owner of a puppy mill?" Here are some tips:

Responsible dog breeders are concerned with specific breed standards. They carefully select the parents of each litter to ensure healthy, happy pups with the appropriate temperament for their breed. They keep meticulous records, their kennels are clean, their dogs are groomed, and all the dogs and the pups are well-socialized. They are happy to show prospective owners the parents of the puppy and the kennels, discuss breed characteristics and answer any questions. Their dogs are loved and cared for, and it shows.

A responsible breeder is concerned about where her puppies are placed. She will ask a prospective owner questions about the home, lifestyle, and plans for the pup to ensure that the pup is a good match for the owner, and that the owner will take good care of the puppy. A responsible breeder will always take back a puppy if the owner can't keep it for any reason, and welcomes information about the pup's health and temperament as it grows up.

For more information from the Humane Society of the United States about puppy mills, click here: www.hsus.org. A little birdie told me that Oprah is discussing puppy mills on her show today, 4/4. Check your local listings for the time the show airs.

One last thing: Please don't forget all the wonderful pets in shelters and with rescue groups that are looking for forever homes. Check out Parker's Pet Pals this week and see if one of those furry souls might be the right match for you!

Love, Labby

Would you like more information about Canine Companions for Independence, or how to become a puppy raiser? Call 1-800-572-BARK or go to www.cci.org for details.

Questions or comments for Parker? Send them to Call7ForHelp@TheDenverChannel.com.