02/22/2016
Journalist and volunteer foster care owner Kavin (Little Boy Blue) takes on the industry of dog breeding and selling, interviewing puppy mill operators, hobby breeders, shelter operators, dog auctioneers, and others—all of whom swear they prioritize the welfare of the dogs they deal. Kavin portrays some businesses in a negative light, especially those immersed in breeding and showing purebred dogs (Kavin himself owns two mixed breeds). This undermines the stated goal of “mov the conversation forward so that all dog lovers can understand exactly what we are buying into.” The book will inevitably raise the hackles of breeders who believe they are being depicted unfairly. But those who are breeding and raising dogs responsibly will find validation in their endeavors—and consumers seeking to buy or adopt dogs will benefit from the information Kavin has gathered as they make their decisions. (May)

"That Kim Kavin sees questions where the rest of the world sees everyday life is what makes her a great reporter. That she gets answers—disturbing, unexpected, yet ultimately hopeful—is what makes The Dog Merchants such a necessary and compelling read."

"We must be their ally, their voice. The Dog Merchants shows you that the way to start is to be a conscious consumer."

"A deeply researched, entertainingly written, incredibly thorough journey into the murky, confusing, and poorly policed world of breeders, buyers, and sellers of dogs. Read it before you pick out your next puppy."

"Pets play a unique role in human emotions. Furry friends are so beloved that dogs are, according to Kavin, an $11 billion a year industry. But behind portions of this mammoth business lie some shady practices. Kavin investigates these practices to ask where our pets come from."

"Fascinating. We are dipping into a world largely veiled to the consumer. If it shines some light on the shadowy, largely unregulated dog industry, I'd say that's worth five stars."

"Kavin’s journalistic approach to the subject offers a balanced analysis of a impassioned subject, and her hands-on approach to research enhances her credibility. The insights into the commercial side of pet adoption are eye-opening, and even the most devoted dog advocates will likely find food for thought in these pages."

"Should be required reading for anyone interested in owning a dog—whether that be via adoption or purchase from a breeder."

"A devastatingly clear-cut expose´. That Kavin manages to accomplish so much without tugging too hard on readers’ emotions is only one of the surprises in this megaton bomb."

"Riveting, informative, and important. Kavin brilliantly explores both sides of every issue in a surprisingly even-handed manner, while steadfastly remaining a passionate advocate for the dogs caught in the middle."

"A devastatingly clear-cut expose´. That Kavin manages to accomplish so much without tugging too hard on readers’ emotions is only one of the surprises in this megaton bomb."

★ 02/15/2016
The common theme among breeders of registered American Kennel Club champion dogs, large-scale commercial "puppy farms," backyard hobby breeders, dog rescue groups, shelters, dog auctions, and pet stores? Money. Kavin, a journalist and author (Little Boy Blue), presents a fascinating journey that begins with her attending a dog auction in Wheaton, MO, then on to tours and inspections of a wholesale distributor of dogs to pet stores, mostly Petland. The author doesn't shy away from the horrors of filthy, overcrowded puppy mills; she also covers the myriad kinds of rescue groups, from well-organized types to sketchier one-person operations posing as legitimate organizations. She takes on shelters with the same sharp eye, pointing out the challenges they face. Also discussed is the influence of the annual Westminister Dog Show on breed selection and Internet sales, in which buyers simply point, click, and pay without ever seeing a puppy. The book's primary focus is an investigative examination of the business practices of dog sales, and it is clear that Kavin's intent is for conscious consumers to use their pocketbooks to force all breeders to produce healthy dogs that are ultimately good family members. VERDICT Essential reading for all dog lovers, this balanced work will become the standard on this topic.—Susan Riley, Mamaroneck P.L., NY

2016-03-08
A hard-hitting exploration of the idea of "dogs as a product." Freelance journalist Kavin (Little Boy Blue: A Puppy's Rescue from Death Row and His Owner's Journey for Truth, 2012, etc.) compares the experience of attending America's biggest legal dog auction to what it might be like watching orphaned children auctioned based on looks. To compound her outrage, her own beloved mutts, whom she thinks of as family, would be considered worthless. The recognition that, "like that big case of meat in the supermarket, [the auction dogs] are ultimately a product" inspired her to investigate the $11 billion global market. Kavin estimates that "some thirty million pet dogs are brought home around the world each year." To think of one's dog as a product to be bought and sold for profit is repugnant to pet lovers, but for the author, it also opens the possibility of using collective bargaining power as clout to force a higher standard of their treatment, using "the only language everyone in the dog industry understands: the language of money." Despite the size of the industry, many of the worst offenders are "small players in the big global web," and our cumulative decisions as consumers are important. It's clear that Kavin has meticulously researched the industry, and she notes that in terms of salability of a particular dog, appearance usually matters more than temperament. "The majority of breeds…were developed just like today's Louis Vuitton scarves or Jimmy Choo shoes or Fendi clutches," she writes, in order to "visually announce a person's economic standing." Televised competitions compound the problem. To counter this, Kavin helped launched the website dogmerchants.com, an encyclopedic database that will serve as a "repository of information about pooches and the people who sell them." A scathing indictment of an industry run amok; belongs on every pet lover's bookshelf.