Pet trade makes the crisis worse

Puppy mills raise dogs in cramped and filthy conditions. (“An outpouring from readers over tales of puppy problems,” April 20.)

This confinement and lack of veterinary care often results in unhealthy animals that are abandoned not long after adoption by frustrated buyers, making the animal overpopulation crisis worse.

With millions of animals dying every year in shelters, there is no reason for the pet shop trade.

Anthony Montapert

North Hollywood

David Colker’s story mentioned that you can get a purebred puppy from a rescue group or shelter.

I hope readers will go this route when looking for a purebred. Check out your local shelter. You might even decide that a mutt or mixed breed has that personality you’ve been waiting for.

Judy Lust

El Dorado Hills, Calif.

Thank you to David Colker for pointing out that these poor inbred puppies are full of physical flaws.

The word “purebred” is a misnomer. Purebred dogs are human-created concoctions, bred for traits from a mixture of dogs built by nature to succeed.

Hopefully, enlightened readers will now help pound puppies find homes, ensure that spay/neuter clinics abound, and force pet shops and greedy breeders to go belly up. See www.helpinganimals .com for more information.

Ingrid E. Newkirk,

President

People for the Ethical

Treatment of Animals