Our Misson

Our mission through this project and article is to inform the ​citizens and youth of Boone County on the dangers of unethical ​breeders and puppy mills, and why people should opt to adopt ​instead of buying. People must choose adoption over purchase ​because it detracts from the business of puppy mills, provides a ​new life to a living animal, and helps end the cycle of pain for ​animals currently in puppy mills by taking away from the mills’ ​profits.

“If we can educate the young, we can save the future.”

- Lauri Durham,Community Outreach Volunteer Lead at the ​Boone County Humane

Meet Sid! He is a husky mix about 2 years old. Come meet him at the Boone County Humane!

Why This Matters

Imagine you’re cast out from your group of people, who now no longer want to be around you, and the result of this is you must spend time in a shelter with others that were cast out as well, until another group of people takes you in. Sounds like a nightmare right? Well, that’s exactly what sheltered and rescued animals are going through, and it certainly is a nightmare.

“Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.”

- Roger Caras, Photographer & Writer

Domestic animals have long suffered as a direct result of poor ownership, and exploitation from breeders who are only in it for the money. This article, if nothing else, will hopefully convince one to explore the process of adoption next time they’re looking for a pet, rather than going to a breeder and supporting the endless cycle of harm for animals.

Meet Kenji! Come visit him at the Boone County Humane

Difference Between A Breeder & A Puppy Mill

Puppy mills are large-scale commercial facilities where

dogs are bred in deplorable conditions, often resulting in

sick and mistreated animals due to overcrowding, lack of

proper healthcare, and neglect. Dogs from these mills

frequently suffer from health issues and are prone to

genetic disorders due to irresponsible breeding practices.

On the other hand, while responsible breeders prioritize

the well-being of their animals, some still contribute to the

overpopulation problem by continuously breeding

without considering the demand or the number of dogs

already needing homes. Though they might offer better

care, their breeding practices, if not carefully managed,

can add to the existing problem of pet overpopulation and

perpetuate the cycle of animals needing rescue or suffering

in inadequate conditions.

Why This Matters

When it comes to puppy mills, the truth is no secret. Puppy ​ mills are businesses that revolve around keeping adult dogs in ​captivity to produce and breed as many puppies as possible for ​a profit. They’re often incredibly unethical, lacking any regard ​for the animal’s health, safety, and well being. “Animals in ​puppy mills are treated like cash crops”, stated paws.org, a ​companionship website for animals, “Animals suffer from ​malnutrition or starvation due to inadequate or unsanitary ​food and water. Sick or dying animals receive little or no ​veterinary care. Adult animals are continuously bred until they ​can no longer produce, then destroyed or discarded.” ​Unfortunately, this isn’t just a one time thing. According to The ​Humane Society, there are an estimated 10,000 active puppy ​mills, and 2.6 million puppies being sold every year as a result ​of that mistreatment.

“To examine whether something is humane first determine ​whether you would want it done to you.”

- Andrea Klader

Some people might introduce the idea of giving an ​animal to the wrong person, which, at Boone County ​Humane Society, is almost never going to happen. As ​Laurie Durham, Community Outreach Volunteer Lead ​at the Boone County Humane stated, “For the ​adoption process you first have to fill out a meet and ​greet on a website that says ’I’m interested in this dog’. ​Foster will interview people interested and make sure ​that the home is a good fit for the dog, no privacy ​invasion involved in said process. Don’t do same day ​adoptions for the sake of making sure the animal will ​blend well with the home”. The Humane Society makes ​sure that the dog is a perfect match, to make sure that ​those dogs are in good hands. Another thing that the ​Boone County Humane does is make sure that all dogs ​are in a healthy condition.

This is Zoey! She has just recently been adopted!

All the dogs in the shelter receive their health care when being sick. Everyone ensures that all dogs are safe. And this can go from medicine to the cleanness from the kennel. The kennels are clean everyday and an important procedure that is used when dogs leave the shelter is deep cleaning. It is always knowan when kennels have been sanitized. In order to ensure a dog’s safety, all kennels need to be clean to not share any diseases, or viruses with other dogs. This care is not given at a puppy mill, the importance of the dogs emotions are not taken in consideration. Always adopt, a lot of dogs need a family!

This is Kane! He was in the shelter for 3 years. But, has been adopted! Remember to give a dog a chance!

Importance of The Humane Society

Humane Societies across the country are important to the ​health and well being of animals around the area that do ​not have a home or have been lost. The non profit ​organizations takes care of animals that have been found ​or are stray and gives them vaccines and health care and ​gets them ready for adoption. In relation to puppy mills, ​the Humane Society of the United States has reported 24 ​puppy mill dealers in the past years. The unending ​suffering of animals has been a problem that the Humane ​Society of the United States has addressed and took action ​over the welfare of animals.

Meet Jack! He is looking for a family. Come visit him at the Boone County Humane!

Embracing Change: Choosing Adoption Over Purchase

When viewed from afar, the benefits of choosing to adopt rather than buy ​are a no brainer. Adoption decreases euthanasia rates of animals, helps ​abandoned animals find a home, and ultimately detracts from the ​business that unethical backyard breeders and puppy mills rely on to keep ​the cycle of pain for innocent animals afloat. Although one might not ​always find the specific breed they're looking for, at the Humane Society, ​one is certain to find the right animal for them. “As to the ethical benefits, ​adoption centers decrease euthanasia rates and make sure that animals are ​treated properly. Whereas breeders are charging thousands of dollars for ​horrible condition puppy mills that aren’t government regulated.” - Lauri ​Durham, Community Outreach Volunteer Lead at the Boone County ​Humane

This is Mushu! He has ben adopted!!

Boone County’s Humane Society

Every animal needs a home, help them find one.

This is Iris, a 1 year old stray German shepherd that was abandoned with her 3 puppies. She has been adopted!

These are 3 German Shepherd and Husky mix puppies found with her mother Iris in the state of abandonment. They all have been adopted!

This is Elsa, a friendly, stray husky. She is a very active dog and loves to play.

This is Snickerdoodle, he is very loving and playful.

“The Humane Society for Boone County is a ​not-for-profit organization almost entirely ​volunteer operated and dedicated to the task ​of animal welfare, rescue and education. ​The shelter operates through a network of ​donors, volunteers and foster families. We ​are a managed admission shelter. By ​carefully managing the acceptance of ​owner-surrendered animals we can improve ​animal flow, reduce intake and better serve ​the community.”

-

bestfriends.org

“I volunteered here from November ​2021 - March 2022 and ​thoroughly enjoyed my time ​working with the people here and ​taking care of the cats! My time ​here was short because I ended up ​getting a full-time job in Kentucky, ​but I came back up here shortly ​after moving away to adopt my cat ​Lizzie! 😺”

-

Local Guide and Volunteer

“They are a no-kill shelter. They ​had quite a few animals in foster ​homes. We found a 4 month old ​dog who was a good fit for our ​family.”

-

Local Guide and Community ​Member

Valeria Alfonzo

Volunteering at the Boone County Humane Society was a fun experience, I got to spend time helping organize the event and playing with the puppies. To this day I keep volunteering at the Boone County Humane once a week and it is a life changing experience, by making connections with the people and the dogs I got to experience something unreal. Everyone should have the opportunity to experience this as well by volunteering or fostering. You can really make a change.

Carmen Galllman

I loved Volunteering at Dr.Carters Veterinarian office and he was very kind as to show me around the office and show me how they take care of animals that are sick. I saw all of the check up rooms and the procedure room. It was also interesting to see the different kind of medical equipment that they use on animals verses humans. They also had this huge scale that the animals walk onto to get weighed.I had a lot of fun and thank you to Dr.Carter for the experience.

Max Cooper

Volunteering at the Humane Society Indianapolis was a ​fantastic and eye opening experience that I could honestly ​recommend to anyone. You’re able to spend time with ​fantastic people and animals as well as have the ​opportunity to expand your horizons by stepping out of ​your comfort zone. All of the people who work there are ​awesome and caring individuals who are truly fond of and ​love the animals. The animals could not be in better care.

Interviewers: Valeria Alfonzo and Max Cooper

Interviewee: Laurie Durham

(Humane Society)

For my expert Interview I decided to talk to veterinarian Dr. David Carter. He is the vet that my family has used for over a decade and he has always taken excellent care of all of our pets. Dr. Carter has owned his own practice in Carmel Indiana for over 30 years. He graduated from Purdue University and worked in emergency care before opening his own practice. I talked to Dr. Carter over the phone on Tuesday afternoon and he had a lot of valuable information about animal care and the importance of keeping your pets healthy.

Dr. Carter gave me a lot of information about once you adopt your pet, how to integrate them into your home and make sure that they have a smooth transition into your home. It's also important to make sure your new dog has all of the vaccines that they need and are healthy when they come home with you. He also said it is important to have grace with your new pet and be patient when training it, and to keep the transition slow so the pet does not freak out or anything.

Interviewer: Carmen Gallman

Interviewee:Dr. David Carter (Carter Veterinary)

About the Authors

Valeria Alfonzo

Max Cooper

Carmen Gallman

Senior at LHS. ​Interested in studying ​real estate and ​business management.

Senior at LHS. ​Interested in traveling ​and studying ​economics.

Senior at LHS. Interested in studying nursing and healthcare.

• “Adoption Event” Field Experience of Valeria Alfonzo. Date 4 November 2023.
• “Home - IndyHumane.” IndyHumane, 17 Oct. 2023, indyhumane.org.
• “Humane Society for Boone County.” Humane Society for Boone County, www.hsforbc.org.
• “The Humane Society of the United States.” The Humane Society of the United States, www.humanesociety.org.
• “Our Impact.” The Humane Society of the United States, www.humanesociety.org/our-impact.
• International Landing Page | PETA. www.peta.org.
• Paws. “Home - PAWS.” PAWS, 29 Nov. 2023, www.paws.org.
• Animal Matters | Promoting the Welfare of Animals Worldwide. animalmatters.org
• American Kennel Society . akc.org