CVMA Statement on Quebec Commercial Dog Breeding Facility Investigation

The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) is aware of media reports of the alleged unethical and abusive activities of a commercial dog breeding operation near Shawville, Quebec. The CVMA encourages the animal protection authorities in Quebec to conduct a thorough investigation into this facility and the alleged incidents.

The CVMA has concerns with commercial breeding facilities that meet the National Companion Animal Coalition (NCAC) definition of a ‘puppy mill’. A puppy mill is defined as a high-volume, substandard dog breeding operation, which sells purebred or mixed-breed dogs to unsuspecting buyers. Some of the characteristics common to puppy mills are:

· Sub-standard health and/or environmental issues;

· Sub-standard animal care, treatment and/or socialization;

· Sub-standard breeding practices which lead to genetic defects or hereditary disorders;

· Erroneous or falsified certificates of registration, pedigrees and/or genetic background

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