30 | theburg | 07.16
W
hen we added our Labrador retriever puppy,
Stella, to our family in 2002, we purchased
from a licensed, first-time breeder Mennonite
family. eir paperwork came from the American
Kennel Club. A litter of eight pups romped with
kids in a temperature-controlled garage full of clean
bedding and toys.
We met Stella's mother in the backyard. e
breeders gave us a picture of Stella's father, a
Labrador from a neighbor's farm. All were active
and healthy. We took Stella home after eight weeks.
We felt confident the breeders responsibly bred the
litter.
We were only minimally educated on how to spot a
responsible breeder. Mostly, we were just lucky.
GrindinG THe Mill
are pa's efforts to combat puppy mills effective?
bY gINA NAPoLI ILLuStrAtIoNS bY CAMbreA roY
