Media attention has made the phrase “puppy mills” a commonplace euphemism for “bad puppy breeder,” yet little attention has been given to kitten mills. The truth is that any type of animal can be milled, and as long as people are willing to financially support these mills, more will continue to emerge, often evading efforts to shut them down. Due to a lack of public awareness, many former puppy mill breeders have switched gears and now offer a multitude of cats to the public and private organizations, disregarding the drastic overbreeding of the animals, their living conditions, or their fate once they leave their property.
Kitten mills exemplify humanity’s troubling dominance over the animal kingdom. We have the power to inflict suffering for profit, and sadly, we often do. However, when enough people unite to limit or minimize this form of cruelty, we can prevent ongoing abuse. While these kitten breeders often focus on the overproduction of “purebred” cats, the vast majority of cat owners are unfamiliar with the differences between most breeds, aside from the more obvious types like Siamese or Himalayan.
The Stark Reality: The Overpopulation Crisis and Animal Suffering
A few startling statistics reveal the urgent need to question the breeding of cats altogether. According to the Humane League of the United States, most cats are adopted through informal rescue efforts. About 48% of owned cats are taken in as strays, found by someone who gives the kitten or cat to a friend, or adopted directly from a rescue league. A much smaller percentage—14%—adopt from shelters, especially kill shelters. The remaining percentage comes from breeders or pet stores. Despite this purchasing activity, 71% of all cats or kittens in shelters are euthanized before suitable homes can be found. Only one out of every five kittens and cats will find a permanent home. Most are abandoned or left at shelters when they become too much responsibility or lose their initial appeal.
We already know that pet overpopulation is a significant issue in this country and many others. Yet, what keeps a cat breeder with 150 kittens in business? Unfortunately, unsold animals often end up being sold in bulk to laboratories and other testing facilities. This grim reality makes me want to rescue a few kittens to prevent them from enduring a life of abuse and neglect. However, giving any money to a kitten mill only supports their business model, and no one with a shred of compassion should contribute to the business of abuse.
This raises a serious debate about the necessity and ethics of animal testing. Yet before diving into that issue, let’s revisit the statistics surrounding the animals senselessly euthanized annually due to a lack of homes. There must be a better way.
Perhaps you’re reading this feeling enraged, convinced that humanity needs a lesson in compassion and responsible behavior toward all living creatures. You would be right. But when you finish this article, will you just share what you’ve learned with a few people and then go about your day? Or might you feel motivated to take action? It doesn’t take much to get started. Numerous websites list these kitten mills by state, and various organizations welcome petitions and testimonies (you need to witness the abuse firsthand, not just read about it online), as well as other forms of public pressure to demand that these mills be shut down. People have fought against puppy mills for decades, and while improvements have been made, countless puppy mills still need to be closed. We cannot overlook the plight of kittens while pursuing justice for puppies.
Animal rights groups have done much of the groundwork already. You can ask them directly how you can help shut down these facilities or offer practical assistance in your area. Very few animal rights groups will turn down willing help.
Kitten mills are not hard to recognize. You’ll often see too many cats in poor conditions; most will likely be in crates, which you might not even see. The kittens for sale will typically be dirty, covered in feces and urine, and appear underweight. Mother cats are often starving during their nursing period. These places are purely business-oriented, lacking compassion. Notice how a kitten is handed to you—usually grabbed by the scruff of the neck and dropped into your arms. To them, the kitten is merely a commodity, dirty and unworthy of care.
Public education about kitten mills is sorely lacking and is one of the best places to start advocacy. Just like other forms of animal exploitation, innocent kittens and cats are being harmed for profit. The more the public speaks out against these practices, the harder it becomes for mills to operate. Unfortunately, many of these businesses are run by couples, so when the heat rises, one partner can transfer ownership to the other and continue without interruption. Closing these mills requires as much dedication and stamina as the owners have in pursuing their income.
