In 2000 a large group of diversified animal welfare advocates gathered together to listen to expert comments, review reports and discuss the growing Puppy Mill problem in Missouri and the United States, and the lack of action on the part of USDA and Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA).
As an immediate follow-up, historical and current data was compiled and presented in the first Primer (March 2000) Since then, a yearly update was prepared, even though the format of the data from USDA/APHIS and MDA/ACFA changed and required help from a computer technician.
Many sources of information were collected and summarized every year as the commercial breeding industry continued to grow. In 2008 the dog breeding industry openly recognized change coming due to pressure from animal welfare groups and animal lovers. In 2011, no Primer was published for several reasons including a change in computerizing data and attention on Missouri Prop B.
Generally speaking, the Prop B compromise worked out between animal welfare and MDA in a significant move forward based on the Rules written. More can be done later with improving the Rules if pushed for ( and should be pushed for in Hudson's mind and will be).
Meanwhile, the USDA/APHIS have stepped up their inspections as well as MDA/ACFA. Initially the breeders without a license were targeted and hundreds were put out of business within a year. Information obtained from Dog Auctions reveals an ongoing scenario of commercial breeders getting out of the industry by selling out of their kennels.
The Primer is a fabulous tracker on the dog breeding industry and thanks to the awesome work done by some highly intelligent, persistent and passionate animal welfare individuals an amazing amount of data is collected every year. This data is reviewed carefully and used to monitor and track this industry that has run amuck for years without any self regulations or conscience. The breeding industry realizes their time is numbered and the days of society blindly buying dogs from pet stores, flea markets, parking lots and every other source they can come up with is coming to an end. The average consumer today is walking into rescues and shelters to adopt their next pet rather than to compulsively buy a puppy from a pet store. The realization is hitting consumers that they aren't saving the puppy but rather condemning the breeding dogs to a life of sheer hell. Hudson wants to APPLAUD all the men and women who have worked so tirelessly to open the publics eyes to PUPPY MILLS and the horrid conditions the parent dogs must endure their entire lives.
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