September is Puppy Mill Awareness Month

September is Puppy Mill Awareness Month... a time to highlight and reflect on the harsh realities of puppy mills and the suffering of countless pups bred in these facilities. Pups in these places are treated like products, bred in horrific conditions just to make a profit. The result? Puppies with severe health and behavioral issues, and adult dogs living in constant neglect.

At Cavalier Rescue of Florida, we typically share the rescued momma / breeder pups that have suffered at these puppy mills, but it’s important to share the other side of this brutal cycle. Their puppies.

Daisy, 3-month-old puppy, was recently rescued as an owner surrender. Purchased from a breeder in Missouri and then shipped to Miami to her loving parents. Shortly after her joyful arrival, Daisy began experiencing vomiting and diarrhea. Her family rushed her to the emergency vet, where she endured countless tests, a feeding tube, IV fluids, and round-the-clock care. Despite spending over $4,000, Daisy showed no improvement. Faced with the impossible choice of euthanasia, continued costly treatment, or surrender, her devastated family chose to surrender her into CRF’s care—hoping she could be saved. 

Thanks to your support, CRF’s Emergency Funds were ready. Daisy was rushed to the UF Emergency Hospital, where the veterinary team fought tirelessly for her life. But after two days in critical care, her condition worsened. She lost mental awareness, suffered cardiac arrest, and was humanely released from her suffering in the arms of her vet. 

This is one of the hardest days that volunteers in rescue can experience, but it is nothing in comparison to what precious Daisy endured in her young, sweet life, she was a baby. 

Born into puppy mills, puppies are sold to excited families; many times, these are the tragic outcomes. Tragic times continue for the momma pups who get bred over and over again. The vicious cycle continues…

When lucky, CRF can save and rescue momma pups from their dreadful and deplorable conditions. Like our recent Sun-Sational Seven breeder rescue, we can rehabilitate these pups with love, care and commitment to their health and well-being; then they are adopted to loving homes. These are the great days.

We couldn’t save Daisy and we know there are many more like her; this sweet soul didn’t deserve this fate. Our hearts break for Daisy and the mill pups left behind. These are the worst days; we cry for all for the sweet pups that we can’t save. xo

CRF shares this story as a cautionary tale… 

We love our rescue pups, but we understand that many people don't want to wait for one of our rare puppies and decide to work with a breeder. For those who work with a breeder--please do your homework. Find an ethical breeder that is respected, caring, responsible and standard bearers of the breed--this applies to any breed of dog. CRF focuses on Cavaliers – Black & Tans, Blenheims, Rubies and Tri-colors, but all breed-specific rescue groups know there are mills out there churning and burning through these pups.

Our friends at @bailingoutbenji have done extensive work and built a nationwide search tool that allows you to research licensed dog breeders on the state or federal level before you bring a puppy into your family. Click to begin your research, be an advocate for safe breeding and adoptions.

https://bailingoutbenji.com/search-engine/

A puppy mill can be obvious, or it can be well hidden. A puppy mill can sell online, in a store, on your social media feed, even your local paper. In the name of Daisy, please do your research.

Please be aware...and share with your friends, you might unknowingly support a puppy mill if you purchase a dog from certain sources or under certain conditions. Here are red flags to look out for:

💔 Puppy purchased at a pet store or flea markets

💔 Puppy being sold via Facebook/Internet or Craig's List

💔 Breeder won’t allow visits to their facility

💔 Puppy shipped via internet without direct contact

💔 Breeder met you in a parking lot or roadside

💔 Breeder won’t take the dog back after purchase💔 No requirement to spay or neuter💔 Puppy showed signs of illness shortly after arrival

And one of the biggest red flags? Any breeder willing to ship a puppy—period. These dogs are often transported in trucks or air cargo for hours or even days, sometimes alongside sick animals.

Was Daisy already ill before she was shipped? We’ll never know. But her suffering speaks volumes. Disreputable breeders can create convincing websites or social media pages that appear to be warm, family-run operations. In Daisy’s case, the buyers believed they were purchasing from a small family breeder. We have every reason to believe that wasn’t true. 

This is why Puppy Mill Awareness Month is so critical — it’s about exposing this dark side of commercial breeding and pushing for real change.💔

Recognizing these signs can help prevent the support of unethical breeding practices and protect both puppies and their mothers from ongoing neglect. For more questions, please visit our site: https://www.cavrescuefl.org/faq-about-cavalier-dog-rescue-florida

If Daisy’s story touched your heart, we ask—gently and with gratitude—to help us continue this critical work. Your donation ensures we’re ready for the next emergency, the next urgent rescue, the next cavalier who needs us without a moment to spare. 

Please click here to donate.

Daisy, we wish you nothing but rainbows, love and everlasting joy over the rainbow bridge.

Love, the Cavaliers of CRF xo