Dispelling the term "Puppymill"

I really am going to try and make this the last polical rant for a time. Please read what Karen Strange has to say and at least give it some thought. "Puppymill" really does need to be seen as a bad word.

There is no legal definition for the term "puppymill".

The term "puppymill" is a phrase coined by animal rights activists and
supporters against anyone who breeds dogs, regardless of the care the animals
receive. The name-calling is a means to turn the unknowing public against all
dog breeders and to raise endless funds for continuous propaganda and
money-making schemes by animal rights activists and organizations.

There is a difference between professional kennels and sub-standard
kennels.
Professional breeders operate legal kennels, licensed by the state
department of agriculture as well as USDA, and meet or exceed all guidelines
pertaining to the health, care and well-being of their animals. They are active
members in good standing of state associations, attend seminars, and earn
continuing education hours for lectures on such topics as pre-natal and
post-natal care, nutrition, health care, socialization, grooming, kennel
management, tax preparation, ventilation, incubation and reproduction.

Substandard kennels are illegal, unlicensed facilities that produce
animals with no regards to their health and well-being.

No one supports neglect or abuse of animals. Calling legal, licensed,
professional breeders "puppymills" and claiming that they abuse their animals is
grossly unfair and unjust, and is not acceptable.

The term "puppymill" is a derogatory word used by animal rights activists
and supporters against anyone who breeds dogs, and is no more acceptable than
using slur names for those of different ethnic backgrounds. It is as degrading
and offensive to professional breeders to call them "puppymills" as it is to
call our fellow man slur names. It is not socially acceptable to call our fellow
man names, nor is it acceptable to call breeders slur names.

We ask that you refrain from using the term "puppymill", and that you
correct others that use the term to describe dog breeders. Animal rights
activists use the term to garner support for fundraising, and those funds are
being used to eliminate all agriculture, use and enjoyment of animals. Please
help us to stop the spread of animal rights issues. Let's all begin by
eliminating the term "puppymill" from our vocabulary.
　
Karen Strange,
President & Lobbyist
MoFed