By John Di Leonardo
As the holiday season approaches, many families are tempted by the idea of giving a puppy or kitten as a Christmas gift. But a recent investigation by Humane World for Animals into Sportsman’s Kennels is a sobering reminder of why animals should never be treated as presents — and why adoption must replace shopping.
Between September and October, an undercover investigator documented severe cruelty and neglect inside Sportsman’s Kennels, a high-volume puppy mill operating behind a popular Long Island storefront. Inside, investigators found filthy breeding conditions, sick and matted dogs, overpowering stench from urine troughs, mold-like substances, and areas crawling with cockroaches. At the time, the facility housed 277 dogs and puppies and advertised a wide range of breeds — from beagles and Labrador retrievers to golden doodles and Cavalier King Charles spaniels — a red flag typical of mass production, not responsible breeding.
Dogs were forced to stand in feces, leading to swollen paws and urine-soaked fur. Puppies were vomiting, coughing, and suffering from congenital conditions like hernias and eye disorders. Breeding dogs were underweight, injured, or missing patches of fur. Pregnant and nursing mothers were exposed to toxic insecticides sprayed to control infestations. Particularly heartbreaking was a so-called “forgotten dogs” room, where older dogs and unsellable puppies were kept with minimal care and little human interaction.
On the investigator’s final day, she was able to rescue one dog from that room and bring her to my organization, Humane Long Island. That puppy is now named Honey. She was terrified. She was underweight. And she was suffering from a painful ear infection. She had also been wrongly diagnosed with a hernia and deemed “unsellable” because the puppy mill did not want to pay for her surgery.
That false diagnosis ended up saving her life.
Honey is now safe — but countless others remain trapped at Sportsman’s Kennels and at animal mills just like it. We held a protest on Saturday, however, we need the public's help.
Buying animals fuels this cruelty and worsens the overpopulation crisis that leads to euthanasia in shelters across the country. Every dog bred takes a potential home away from a shelter animal. And every year after the holidays, shelters see a heartbreaking increase in abandoned pets — most of them impulse gifts. That’s why pets should never be surprises. Adoption should only happen when someone is truly ready for forever.
When you adopt, you’re not just getting a pet — you’re saving a life. Adoption gives them a second chance and helps break the cycle of overbreeding, neglect, and abandonment.
Animals are not Christmas presents. They are lifelong commitments. You can return a sweater if it doesn’t fit, but you can’t return a dog when the holidays are over. Pets need care, time, and stability long after the decorations come down. Adopting a pet means committing for their entire life — sometimes 10 to 20 years. Animals don’t outgrow their need for love. They depend on us completely.
For this week’s Anuvrat, I invite you to give the gift of compassion. Make a small vow to never buy or breed an animal — and to only adopt if you are ready to commit for life. The best gift you can give an animal is a forever home.
John Di Leonardo is the founding director of Humane Long Island. He was previously the Senior Manager of Grassroots Campaigns and Animals in Entertainment Campaigns for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). He has a Master's degree in Anthrozoology from Canisius College. He also earned a graduate certificate in Jain Studies from the International School of Jain Studies (ISJS) in India. John can be reached at [email protected].
