The Toronto Sun had an article today about a puppy miller in the West End of Toronto.

He was selling 'designer dogs' (aka mutts) over the internet.  I was a bit surprised at these comments by Lee Oliver of the Toronto Humane Society (my emphasis):

"People are taking advantage of designer dogs," THS spokesman Lee Oliver said. "We have had so many of them brought to us once people realize the work involved."

Well, of course, what would you expect?  The word 'designer' is a bit of a hint.  Nobody is interviewing prospective owners to find out if they are capable of maintaining a dog properly and understand what they are getting into as far as commitment goes.  That only happens with reputable breeders and outfits like the THS and other adoption agencies.

Oliver said officers are witnessing a new trend in which animals are being bought and sold on the web.

"This is completely new," he said. "In the next five years there will be an explosion of puppies being sold on the Internet."

I don't know what constitutes 'completely new' but it's been going on for years now - since the Web went retail. 

I note that pet stores aren't mentioned but where do people think those pups come from?  They are from the same kinds of places as the internet pups.  The only difference with web dog-sellers is that they don't need a bricks-and-mortar operation.  They don't have to hire staff or pay other overhead costs and best of all, the money is tax-free.  Another plus is that the way the dogs are being treated is kept away from public scrutiny.

It's kind of ironic that the Toronto Sun, which ran this as a lead item, carries advertisements from PJ's Pets - who sell 'percentage' (as they call them) dogs to complete strangers.

I guarantee that there is not one ethical breeder or adoption agency that will hand over a dog to any Joe Bleaux with cash or a credit card, no questions asked. 

Nor is there an ethical breeder or shelter that will send dogs to an unknown fate.

Not a single one.