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Utah animal rescues denounce practice of purchasing puppies at auction

After an investigation by the Washington Post exposed that some animal shelters spend thousands of donated dollars to purchase puppies from breeders, then claim that they’re rescues, Utah animal groups are denouncing the practice.

“It’s not like they’re helping to shut down the breeders,” she said. “It’s not like they’re closing them from business and trying to find alternative means or more humane income.”

In a blogpost, Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society, explained the breeder auctions used to be a way for rescues to provide a “safety net” for old, sick and injured dogs from puppy mills.