The Top Dog Store Breeder: KV Kennels

Hello readers!

I believe I have uncovered another puppy mill which the Top Dog Store uses to source their dogs. The Top Dog Store is a pet store that recently opened up and is the single location in Calgary which sells puppies. We have already exposed one of their breeders, JO Kennels, as a mill in one of my other posts and today, we will do it again! Unfortunately I could not track down their website but luckily there is enough information in their evaluation to expose them. The link for KV Kennels is here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ebc75dprq55a02c/KVKennels-2014.pdf?dl=0

Before we really get into what makes this breeder a puppy mill, I just want to remind all of you what a mill is according to No Puppy Mills Canada: http://www.nopuppymillscanada.ca/mill.htm
(a) Sub-standard health and/or environmental issues;
(b) Sub-standard animal care, treatment and/or socialization; 
(c) Sub-standard breeding practices which lead to genetic defects or hereditary disorders;
(d) Erroneous or falsified certificates of registration, pedigrees and/or genetic background.
Note: These conditions may also exist in small volume or single breed establishments." 

I am going to take each of these traits and discuss how KV Kennels meets each one. 

(a) Sub-standard health and/or environmental issues
There are a lot of environmental issues that are evident with this breeder. True, the large kennels look spacious and not over crowded, but I question some of the decisions that have been made regarding their living space.

The first thing I notice about the pens on pages 3 and 4 is the lack of ANYTHING. There are no beds, no toys, no bones, nothing. These dogs live their lives with very little stimulation. Scrolling down to pages 6 and 7, you see the same thing. They have caged lives with no access to grass or the luxury of running and playing to their heart's content.

The next notable point is on page 5. These are the feed bins for each individual dog, though the pictures make it hard to understand how these function. In this close up picture, you can see how filthy the food bins are and how impractical they are for cleaning and sanitization purposes.

Alright, now we get more into the nitty gritty. We have reached the whelping and nursery barn on page 10-14. Let these pictures sink in. There are 3 problems with the pictures on these pages...

• Cleanliness: Look at how dirty they are on the inside when this is suppose to be a sterile location for birth. The material, as claimed in the report, is plastic so it should be easy to clean. 
• Bedding: The bedding that they use for these poor newborns is shavings. The problem with this material is that it can cause respiratory infections in the pups who already have a weak immune system. Additionally, their noses and mouths are so close to the stuff that they can easily ingest it. There are many sources that support this claim: http://dogcare.dailypuppy.com/can-use-pine-bedding-newborn-puppy-4190.html, http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2098&aid=1099, http://www.afrma.org/pineproblem.htm. 
• It is suggested that puppies can handle the natural odour from this type of bedding once they reach 4 weeks but let's be real, it isn't beneficial regardless of age and should be avoided. http://dogcare.dailypuppy.com/bedding-use-dog-going-pups-4902.html 
• Incubators: Looking at them, they are incredibly sinister, daunting, and ridiculous. The purpose of an incubator is to keep newborns warm if the mother is unable to do so (due to abandonment, death, too many puppies, etc.) and is therefore not required for regular whelping purposes. http://www.ehow.com/how_5989200_directions-build-puppy-incubator.html, http://thepuppysaver.homestead.com/The-Puppy-Saver1.html 
• What makes this situation so sad is the fact that, according to this evaluation, they are kept in this light-less box for their first 3-4 weeks of life. They will have no human interaction and no natural light. All they get is a heat lamp, shavings to cause respiratory ailments, and ultimate seclusion. What a life. 
• For any breeders who are reading this post, many would argue the necessity of a whelping box. The purpose of a whelping box is to keep the mom in a space that is sterile, comfortable, and secure for the birth of the puppies. It should have walls that are high enough to keep the puppies inside, but accessible enough for the breeder to assist in the birthing process if it is required - also, lose the roof! Allow for air circulation! As you can see from these pictures, these little incubators are definitely not large enough if the breeder had to help. Here is a link to what a whelping box looks like: http://dogs.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Whelping_Box

(b) Sub-standard animal care, treatment, and/or socialization
Alright, so let's start with animal care. As discussed earlier, these pens are void of any stimulation which leads to a very dreary life. They need something to keep busy or else they will get destructive or aggressive.

As for treatment, I want to draw your attention to the first page of the "Inspection Report." The vet that they use is PB Veterinary Services. PB stands for Picture Butte, a small town that is 30 minutes north of Lethbridge. I looked at their web page and noticed that they are an exclusive CATTLE vet. They do not handle pet cases unless you simply need a vaccination. However, they are not trained to treat dogs. I searched for other vets in the area and this breeder has the choice of any vet in Lethbridge (many to choose from!) or one in Coalhurst, another small town that is just west of Picture Butte. When brought to the Top Dog Store, these puppies are not being examined by an appropriate veterinarian so you won't know with certainty that they are clear of dog-related illness or problems.

With this knowledge, I wanted to search what kinds of vaccinations were being administered to these dogs. Dectomax spray (to treat mites and flies) caught my eye and, after checking several sites, I discovered that this specific brand can be FATAL TO DOGS. http://www.drugs.com/vet/dectomax-pour-on.html

• For more information on the chemical compound that is used in the drug, you can read this site: http://parasitipedia.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2450&Itemid=2718
• This site admits that some brands can be used for dogs (only select breeds) but the brand will carefully state whether it can be used for pets or not. Dectomax spray, specifically, is exclusive to livestock such as cows, swine, and sheep. 
• Additionally, this site warns that dosages of this chemical, regardless of brand, has to be very carefully made for dogs because of the high risks. Who administers this intensive drug? Look on Inspection Report Page 3 and you will find that the breeder themselves administers it. Interesting indeed. I know many people who give medications to their pets but the thing is, 54 dogs have to receive this medication twice a year. A simple slip up can be detrimental. If the risk was that high, would an uncertified breeder not have a professional do it?

Finally, the socialization of these animals are questionable. Though we do not know how many people care for these dogs, 54 is still a large number for proper attention. They are kept for the purpose of breeding, all other interaction is minimized. Remember those puppies in the box? Puppies can be handled more regularly at 2 weeks (for short periods) which begins the socialization for a well tempered, happy pet. The incubators simply do not allow this to happen until they are at least 4 weeks old, if not older. When you get your puppy from them, they will only have had human interaction for approximately 2-4 weeks. That is not long at all.  https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/newborn-puppy-care

(c) Sub-standard breeding practices which lead to genetic defects or hereditary disorders
I will admit that I cannot extract enough evidence from this evaluation to suggest that KV Kennels is bad at preventing genetic defects or hereditary disorders. That being said, there is not enough evidence to suggest that they are good either. Given the results of the past two points, I wouldn't buy from them anyways.

(d) Erroneous or falsified certificates of registration, pedigrees, and/or genetic background
Again, there is very little information about this stuff on the evaluation. An interesting point, though, is that they claim to have a wait list formulated for people who want a retired dog. I have tried for the past week and a half to find the website and if I can't find it, I doubt that one is even made (entirely possible!) My question is: how does this wait list form without contact information? Does this list even exist? Though this is unrelated to the dogs, I still want to count this as false information.

*Note: These conditions may also exist in small volume or single breed establishments
They have 10 different breeds and 54 dogs. They would need an extensive team of employees to tend to each one. Consider how many volunteers are required to operate a dog shelter. To point it in perspective, as of January 27, 2015, the Calgary Humane Society has 11 dogs, the ARF foundation has 16, Pets for Life has 15, and they have a team of people who care for them! I also question if the infamous Inspection Team actually checks every single individual dog or if they give it the ol' glance-over and assume they are all fine. That would be a very consuming day to check each one.

Conclusion: With a score of 4/5, KV Kennels, one of the "Reputable Breeders" of the Top Dog Store, is a puppy mill. True, we don't know if they overbreed their dogs, but we know how these animals are treated and the lifestyle that they are forced to live. That is an essential part of being a mill. Do you really think that after coming from a place like this, these puppies are healthy with good temperaments? Keep in mind that, even after "23 years" of breeding, their research of animal care is miniscule.

There are two things that we can do about this

• Boycott the Top Dog Store for sourcing puppy mill puppies and trying to mask them as reputable, healthy dogs. With no demand, the supply will drop. This WILL save lives of animals. 
• Contact your provincial SPCA. In fact, if enough of us contact the Alberta SPCA, perhaps we can have this facility shut down! Toll free number: 1-800-455-9003

Cheers

~I frequently hear people say "I rescued my dog from a puppy mill." Unfortunately, you did a disservice unless you reported the circumstance to the authorities. You still paid for the dog and the mill still made a profit. The dogs that were left behind will continue to suffer. What you CAN do to prevent suffering is call your provincial SPCA.~

Alberta: 1-800-455-9003

Saskatchewan: 1-877-382-7722

The Top Dog Store: Sweet Talking

Hello readers!
I haven't posted in a while, mostly because I am having troubles tracking down the websites of the other breeders that the Top Dog Store uses (if they even exist). Instead of leaving you all hanging, I am going to discuss the Top Dog Store's FAQ, directly from their website: http://thetopdogstore.com/faq/ The reason why I want you to see these answers is because of two things: 1) I want you to see how manipulative the responses are. They are specifically worded so that you believe Top Dog is the superior choice compared to adopting from a reputable breeder or a rescue. 2) I want you to see how lacking this company is in effort as they formulate arguments, as well as the posting itself.

Let's start with questions 1: "Why don't you share your Breeder's information with the public?"

This was the original response to the question. The immediate problem with this response is that they use the wrong privacy act. FOIP does not cover business, only information pertaining to the public body. This problem was addressed on their Facebook page...

....but with no response. They did, however, change their FAQ to reflect a more in depth response conveniently after. We already debunked that one of their breeders is a mill, so referring to them all as "reputable" is misleading. In fact, in this longer response, they get rather repetitive saying that they are "committed to reputable breeders" who are "trusting our team at the Top Dog Store" in finding the right homes. We get it, the breeders are great, and the store is great. You can see how manipulative the wording is, though, because of the positive repetition and affirmation that they are in it for the wellbeing of the pet and not your money. What bothers me is the lack of proof that either parties are winning choices. In this section they claim to "regularly check the breeders" but we can see from the evaluations that they only do it once a year. So much can happen in a year! How can we KNOW that they are as good as all of this?
Secondly, in this new response, they don't specify a specific privacy act. They did initially before people called them out on it. Why? There is, in fact, an act that covers business' relations. Instead of using the wrong act, they could have done a little more research. I am no legal studies person, but even I could tell the difference.

Question 2: "Why would Breeders sell their puppies to the Top Dog Store?"
This is literally a copy and paste from the Breeder information question... why even include it? Moving on.

Question 3: "Do Puppies from the Top Dog Store come with papers?"
An honest answer! Even if they claim to have a chihuahua, you are not guaranteed to have a pure bred. Keep in mind that all of the special paperwork that you receive with your pet is exactly what you would receive from a reputable breeder. That being said, I surprisingly liked their answer to this question.

Question 4: "Why are the Top Dog Store's puppies more expensive than at a breeder?"
They list a lot of good benefits to buying one of their dogs. That being said, reputable breeders cover all of this anyways and don't usually charge over $1000 for a mixed breed dog. In fact, some reputable breeders offer life time warranty for anything hereditary that might arise in later life. But seriously, the fact that it was treated by the Puppy Advisors and Puppy Care Technicians means very little. It is a flowery way of saying that their puppies' needs are met, the breeders are so-called "reputable," and that they have been checked by a vet.

Question 5: "Isn't it better to buy a puppy from a breeder or animal shelter?"
I actually laughed when I read this part. They claim 3 things:

• "They have the opportunity to interact with a variety of puppies." You can and will interact with many dogs at a shelter. If it is a puppy you want, check ahead and see what is available. You will always be able to interact with the puppy first at a shelter. This is not exclusive to the Top Dog
• "Our staff take the time to assist our guests in finding the right puppy to suit their lifestyle" Shelters screen families and partake in extensive paperwork to ensure that the puppy is the best fit. Some shelters go so far as to do house inspections to see the type of environment that it would go to. This is far more thorough than Top Dog will ever be. 
• "The Top Dog Store has an outstanding health warranty with our puppies." I can give the Top Dog Store a bone for this one (if you pardon the pun). The warranty for a rescue may not be as thorough because you don't know what kind of history it has genetically or simply in its past. That being said, they have always been vet checked for preexisting health and are already fixed!

You get the picture, their responses are very vague and not exclusive to their store. A lot of what they suggest are true with reputable breeders and shelters. So why not adopt from the more reliable sources?

As an extra tidbit, here is an interesting fact that I unearthed. PJ's Pets is a pet store in Eastern Canada. It has been established since 1969 and they also have a FAQ: http://www.pjspet.com/_includes/_pdfs/BenefitsOfChoosingPJsPetsPuppy.pdf
The reason why I draw your attention to this page is because the answers to the questions are the EXACT SAME

Question 1/2&3:

Question 4&5:

Why does this matter? The Top Dog Store lacks the effort to formulate original responses to the same questions. This is a business that is trying to bring a new option to Calgary when it comes to finding a puppy. They are going to be criticized from many people (hey, just take a look at this blog!) so it is important that they can stand on their own two feet without taking the arguments from someone else. 

Finally, think of those answers that they gave. Are they really any better than a rescue animal or a pet from a reputable breeder? If you are thinking no, then please, I urge you to reconsider your options and pick a source that is reputable and honest. 

Cheers!

~I frequently hear people say "I rescued my dog from a puppy mill." Unfortunately, you did a disservice unless you reported the circumstance to the authorities. You still paid for the dog and the mill still made a profit. The dogs that were left behind will continue to suffer. What you CAN do to prevent suffering is call your provincial SPCA.~

Alberta: 1-800-455-9003

Saskatchewan: 1-877-382-7722

The Top Dog Store Breeder: JO Kennels

Hello readers!

In this post I will continue to expose the Top Dog Store, a recently opened pet store in Calgary, AB which has chosen to sell puppies. They claim that their puppies come from reputable breeders but I wish to expose the truth behind this claim.

The Top Dog Store has openly posted the breeder evaluations that they do to ensure that their puppies come from reputable sources. I should point out that none of these breeders release their true name, they only go by their initials. This makes it a lot harder to track the exact source in which their puppies come from. Today I will analyze JO Kennels' evaluation to prove that they are a mill.

This is the link to view the evaluation for yourself: https://www.dropbox.com/s/536y3mh28e7m2b4/JOKennels2014.pdf?dl=0

On the first page, we are given the names of the "Inspection Team."

• Marion Church is Robert Church's wife. Robert Church is the owner of the Top Dog Store and therefore she will have a very bias opinion on the animals. 
• Dr. S. Wizniak DVM is a veterinarian from the McKnight Vet Clinic.  
• R. Gledhill is the dog trainer for puppy classes that you can take at the Top Dog Store, providing another bias inspector

For a legitimate inspection team, it should comprise of at least one person who is not directly connected to the business. Perhaps someone who works for the SPCA? That would make a well rounded team.  

The second and third pages look very similar to the kennels at the store itself. The dogs live on grates so that their poop can drop below and be easily cleaned. There are also no enriching toys for the adults or puppies - a very bland life for them indeed!

The fifth page is really, really sad. You can see how narrow and pitiful their dog runs are. These dogs get zero access to grass at any time. There are no toys for entertainment and all they can do is walk back and forth. What a sad life those dogs must live! It is also crucial to note how many runs there are in this picture. Reputable breeders should not that many if they are to be well socialized pets!

This brings us to page six. This is the actual report itself. Here we see that they carry 11 different breeds of puppies and have over 51 dogs on their establishment. A little excessive eh?

If you read my first blog post, you will be familiar with what qualities make a puppy mill. So far, according to No Puppy Mills Canada, this facility has met 2/5 conditions:

• (b) Sub-standard animal care, treatment and/or socialization - With 51 dogs in their care, there is no way those dogs receive proper socialization or treatment. Sure, they may receive food, water, and a quick look-over to make sure they are in decent shape, but that is sufficient for a future family pet. 
• Note: These conditions may also exist in small volume or single breed establishments - This one is a little vague, but they have 11 different breeds of dogs. Why not specialize in a couple? It would be very difficult to keep track of each dog's genetic background, temperament, etc. 

But wait! There is more! I did a bit of sleuthing and actually managed to find the breeder's personal webpage! They are Homestead Kennels from Assiniboia, SK (a town which is identified in the evaluation). Jennifer Olson is the contact personal, therefore confirming this breeder's association with Top Dog Store.

Here is their webpage: http://www.homesteadkennels.ca/Homepage.html

Now we can truly expose this breeder as a mill! Let's explore:

• Clicking on the About Us page, we learn that three people handle the dogs. That is a very low amount considering the 51 dogs they currently have. 
• Clicking on the Health Care page, then the Health Guarantee. They will not take responsibility to sicknesses that are not life threatening. The problem is that they will not take responsibility for illnesses that can result from their facility or breeding practices. Here are some examples of illnesses that they will not cover:
• Coccidia - this is an illness that can result from stress, true, but also from being around dogs' feces (http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_multi_coccidiosis) If one dog has coccidia at the facility, then your future family member could have contracted the illness before it left the building! 
• Giardia - this is an illness that does NOT result from stress, as claimed on the website. It is caused by ingesting feces that are already contaminated and can sometimes be chronic. If fact, it has a higher occurrence rate in dogs that are housed in kennel facilities because of the high volume of animals in close quarters.   (http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_multi_giardiasis). Though not life threatening, the vet bills that you would have to pay to contain the illness is life long (not always, but it is possible). 
• Cherry Eye - though it is not confirmed that it is inherited, research has suggested that it is due to a "congenital weakness of the gland's attachment in the dog's eye." (http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/eyes/c_multi_prolapsed_gland) Therefore, this is a genetic defect that is not covered by the guarantee. 
• Luxated Patella - this is a condition that is due to a genetic malformation or trauma. It is a dislocation of the kneecap that only falls into place when the leg is relaxed or lengthened. (http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/musculoskeletal/c_multi_patellar_luxation). This genetic defect is also not covered by the guarantee. 
• There a few others that are mentioned but this should give you an idea on what their guarantee is really about. 
• Clicking on the FAQ page, then click on Health. Under "What is a closed kennel," they openly admit that will "not allow people to walk through our kennel to look at our puppies" and that they "do not allow outside dogs/puppies into our kennel." Their reasoning is that they want a perfectly sterile environment for the puppy. One of the number one cues in identifying a puppy is if you are permitted to see where the puppy grew up. They will SHIP the animal to you. I know of people who adopted specific breeds of pets from sources beyond where they live and that is alright if you do a lot of research on the breeder. Judging by this research, I would not trust adopting from them. 
• Still looking on the FAQ, click on Delivery. Under "What forms of payment do you accept for the remaining balance," they ask for cash only. There will be no proof of how much you spent on that dog. True, just above this statement under "How do I send my deposit," they are willing to send a receipt, but that is only a portion of your money. Many puppy mills prefer cash so that they can remain more elusive about their transactions. Sketchy. 

Lets review, one more time, the qualities of a puppy mill that this breeder has met, according to No Puppy Mills Canada:

• (a) Sub-standard health and/or environmental issues - they will not allow you to personally see the life that the puppy has been exposed to in its short life, not to mention you are unable to see the life that the adults have to endure every day. You are taking a gamble with each adoption. 
• (b) Sub-standard animal care, treatment and/or socialization - we already talked about this one but the human-to-dog ratio is 3:51. That is not adequate for proper care, treatment, or socialization
• (c) Sub-standard breeding practices which lead to genetic defects or hereditary disorders - true, they cover life-threatening illnesses, but absolutely nothing that is genetic based but non life threatening is covered. 
• (d) Erroneous or falsified certificates of registration, pedigrees and/or genetic background - I will admit that this one is more of a speculation, but since this breeder is on a roll in being identified as a puppy mill, I might as well cover this one too. With so many animals intermingling, breeding, and overwhelming the very few staff that handle them, it is doubtful that the genetic background of each dog is accurately recorded. Therefore, they claim to have "healthy dogs" but they likely do not have records to reflect potential genetic problems. 
• Note: These conditions may also exist in small volume or single breed establishments - Once again, they have 11 breeds of dogs. This is excessive for a breeder who genuinely cares about them. Again, this is speculation. However, if they were only in it for the money, wouldn't they want a wider range of breeds? Food for thought. 

Conclusion: With a score of 5/5, Homestead Kennels, one of the "Reputable Breeders" of the Top Dog Store, is a puppy mill.

There are two things that we can do about this

• Boycott the Top Dog Store for sourcing puppy mill puppies and trying to mask them as reputable, healthy dogs. With no demand, the supply will drop. This WILL save lives of animals. 
• Contact your provincial SPCA. In fact, if enough of us contact the Saskatchewan SPCA, perhaps we can have this facility shut down! Toll free number: 1-877-382-7722

Cheers

~I frequently hear people say "I rescued my dog from a puppy mill." Unfortunately, you did a disservice unless you reported the circumstance to the authorities. You still paid for the dog and the mill still made a profit. The dogs that were left behind will continue to suffer. What you CAN do to prevent suffering is call your provincial SPCA.~

Alberta: 1-800-455-9003

Saskatchewan: 1-877-382-7722

The Beginning of the Top Dog Store Series: The Background Scoop

Hello everyone!

I'd like to start a blog series that focuses directly on Top Dog Store, a recently established business in Calgary which has chosen to sell puppies.

As a bit of a background, three years ago Calgary pet stores made the decision to stop selling puppies. This was an awesome decision as it meant that they could fill their kennels with rescue pets from shelters instead! Market Mall Petland, a privately owned franchise, continued selling puppies. Robert Church was the owner before he shut it down and opened up Top Dog Store on Mcknight and Edmonton Trail NW. He has received a lot of negative feedback regarding his operations though he continues to gloss over what actually happens in the pet industry - sourcing from puppy mills. Over the next few weeks, I will pick apart all of the information that is presented to the public and show how it is not all sunshine and rainbows.

Before getting into the nitty gritty, I just want to express some blatantly obvious facts that show that the puppies in the store itself are not getting the best care.

• Robert Church pretty much claims he would never sell a large breed dog and he shouldn't! They are too big for the size of their kennels and they require a LOT more space to play. That being said, they currently sell chocolate labs. These are sporting dogs who need to run! No puppy belongs in a pet store but large breeds especially cannot live in those small kennels. 

• The kennels do not have food in them. Yes, many dogs have scheduled feeding to ensure weight management but puppies should not be part of that! Puppies, especially small breed puppies, can go into hypoglycaemic shock without having accessible food. Hypoglycaemic shock is when their sugar level depletes due to too much activity, stress, missing a meal, etc. They should be fed at least 4 times a days but free feeding portioned amounts achieves the same effect. What if an employee forgets a meal? Those puppies become at risk. For more information: http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/dog-hypoglycemia-low-blood-sugar

Stay tuned for next time when I debunk one of their "reputable breeders" as a puppy mill!

Cheers!

~ I frequently hear people say "I rescued my dog from a puppy mill." Unfortunately, you did a disservice unless you reported the circumstance to the authorities. You still paid for the dog and the mill still made a profit. The dogs that were left behind will continue to suffer. What you CAN do to prevent suffering is call your provincial SPCA. ~

Alberta: 1-800-455-9003

What is a Puppy Mill?

Hello!

I think it is appropriate to begin this blog by introducing what it means to be a puppy mill. I will draw on these guidelines as I show how the pet industry does, in fact, source puppy mills.

According to No Puppy Mills Canada, this is the definition of a puppy mill (with my own commentary in red):

"The term “Puppy Mill” generally refers to a high-volume, sub-standard dog-breeding operation, which sells purebred or mixed breed dogs, directly or indirectly to unsuspecting buyers. Some of the characteristics common to puppy mills are:
(a) Sub-standard health and/or environmental issues; It is super important to personally see where your future family member has been living for all of its life. If the breeder will not allow you to see the environment, then they cannot be trusted.
(b) Sub-standard animal care, treatment and/or socialization; The health of the animal is an obvious red flag - but what about socialization? If an establishment has 30 dogs and only 1 person caring for them, is each dog receiving the proper love and affection? No!
(c) Sub-standard breeding practices which lead to genetic defects or hereditary disorders; Be weary of health guarantees that are set forth by breeders. Research what sicknesses are covered and which ones are not. Are these sicknesses common to the breed? Look into it!
(d) Erroneous or falsified certificates of registration, pedigrees and/or genetic background. Any reputable breeder can tell you the background of the parents (including vaccinations, temperament, etc.). Unless the parents are also registered, your puppy is not a pedigree.  

Note: These conditions may also exist in small volume or single breed establishments." Basically, if an establishment sells 3+ breeds of dogs, odds are they are a mill (not always) but a mill can also exist when only one breed is bred. 

http://www.nopuppymillscanada.ca/mill.htm

I frequently hear people say "I rescued my dog from a puppy mill." Unfortunately, you did a disservice unless you reported the circumstance to the authorities. You still paid for the dog and the mill still made a profit. The dogs that were left behind will continue to suffer. What you CAN do to prevent suffering is call your provincial SPCA.

Alberta: 1-800-455-9003

Cheers