News 12 Talks New Jersey

For years, the advice on how to get your next pet was simple: Adopt, don't shop. The problem is it's not as easy as it used to be.  Some 85 million American families now own a pet – about seven in 10 families -- but many unwittingly get animals raised by mass breeders, sometimes called “puppy mills.” And consumer advocates say thousands of prospective pet owners fall victim to pet scams each year. Last month, authorities in Iowa busted a “puppy-laundering ring.” Dogs from puppy mills were given to fake rescue groups that existed only on paper, then were sold to pet stores. If you're looking for a new pet, you've got to do your homework. Walt Kane talks to Larry Cohen with the Humane Society of the United States & Melissa Companick with the Better Business Bureau about what to know when getting your next pet.