What is a puppy mill? A puppy mill is any size dog breeding kennel where the health and welfare of the dogs is disregarded in order to keep overhead low and maximize profits.
We educate to end puppy mills for your family’s sake and for the sake of the parent dogs left behind. Learn about the lack of transparency on puppy broker websites.
Puppy mill dog breeders are found in every state, no breed of dog is immune to puppy mills. Some states may not have many, other states are well known to have high concentrations of puppy mills.
Learn why you don’t want to buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Understand why it is so important to meet the mother dog and see where she lives before you pay for a puppy and why you don’t want your puppy to come from a USDA dog breeder.
Stop Online Puppy Mills monitors websites selling puppies. For more information, visit our Puppy Mill Watchdog page.
Puppy mills sell and ship puppies online and through websites that list hundreds of puppies for sale and this is legal. These USDA dog breeders can keep barns full of mother and father dogs stacked in cages kept pregnant.
Make a difference for the dogs! Education is the fastest way to end this cruel industry. There are many ways you can get involved. Explore our website to understand what this cruel industry is about and take action.
Have you ever wondered where those adorable puppies in pet store windows really come from? The heartbreaking truth is that many of them are born into the cruel world of puppy mills – commercial breeding facilities that prioritize profit over animal welfare. As an animal lover and advocate, I’ve spent years researching this issue and I’m here to share what we can all do to help shut these operations down for good.
What Exactly Are Puppy Mills?
Before we dive into solutions, let’s get clear on what we’re fighting. Puppy mills are large-scale commercial breeding facilities where dogs are treated as nothing more than breeding machines. These poor animals live in cramped, filthy conditions with:
- Minimal human interaction
- Inadequate veterinary care
- Poor quality food and water
- No opportunity for exercise or play
- Constant breeding until they can no longer reproduce
The puppies born in these facilities often develop serious behavioral and health problems due to poor genetics stress, and lack of proper socialization. Yet these same puppies are sold to unsuspecting customers through pet stores, online marketplaces and classified ads.
14 Effective Ways We Can Work Together to Stop Puppy Mills
1. Adopt, Don’t Shop!
The single most powerful action you can take is to adopt your next pet from a shelter or rescue group instead of buying from a pet store or online seller. Even if you have your heart set on a specific breed, there are breed-specific rescue organizations for virtually every type of dog.
When we adopted our Beagle mix, Daisy, from our local shelter last year, we not only saved her life but also freed up space for another homeless dog. Plus, adoption fees are typically much lower than breeder prices, and the animals usually come already spayed/neutered and vaccinated!
2. Research Before You Buy
If you absolutely must purchase from a breeder, do extensive research to ensure you’re dealing with a responsible one Here’s how
- Visit the breeding facility in person
- Ask to meet the puppy’s parents
- Request health clearances and veterinary records
- Be suspicious of breeders who have multiple breeds available
- Never buy a puppy without seeing where it was raised
- Avoid meeting sellers at neutral locations like parking lots
A reputable breeder will always want to meet you and ensure their puppy is going to a good home.
3. Report Suspected Puppy Mills
If you suspect a puppy mill is operating in your area, report it! Contact your local:
- Animal Control department
- Sheriff’s Department
- Humane Society chapter
- Crime Stoppers hotline
These local agencies have jurisdiction to investigate and potentially shut down illegal breeding operations. While organizations like SPCA International also accept reports, local agencies can typically act more quickly.
4. Support Anti-Puppy Mill Legislation
Laws regulating commercial breeders vary widely by state and locality. Here’s what you can do:
- Sign up for advocacy alerts from organizations like Best Friends Animal Society
- Contact your city, county, state, and federal officials
- Attend local government meetings when animal welfare issues are discussed
- Vote for candidates who support animal welfare legislation
Several states have passed “puppy mill bills” that set minimum standards of care for breeding facilities, while others have banned the sale of puppies in pet stores altogether.
5. Educate Others About Puppy Mills
Knowledge is power! Share what you know about puppy mills with friends, family, and social media followers. Many people simply don’t know about the dark side of the puppy industry.
I’ve found that sharing success stories of rescued puppy mill dogs can be particularly effective. When my neighbor was considering buying a puppy online, I shared before-and-after photos of my friend’s puppy mill rescue, and she decided to adopt instead!
6. Support Humane Pet Stores
Many pet stores have transitioned to a humane business model where they partner with local shelters to offer adoptable pets instead of selling puppies from breeders. Support these businesses, and encourage other pet stores to follow suit.
7. Hold Peaceful Rallies and Demonstrations
Organize or join peaceful demonstrations at pet stores that sell puppies. These events help educate the public about where pet store puppies come from and the conditions their parents endure.
8. Use Social Media to Spread Awareness
Social media is a powerful tool for raising awareness:
- Share educational posts about puppy mills
- Post success stories of rescued mill dogs
- Highlight local shelters and rescue groups
- Call out businesses that support the puppy mill industry
9. Report Sick Puppies from Pet Stores
If you or someone you know purchased a puppy from a pet store that turned out to be sick, report it to:
- The Better Business Bureau
- Your state’s attorney general’s office
- Your state’s Department of Agriculture
- Your local animal services department
- Local media outlets
These reports can trigger investigations and help prevent others from experiencing the same heartbreak.
10. Place Adoption Ads in Classified Sections
Newspapers and online classified sections are full of puppy sale ads. Counter this by placing ads promoting your local animal shelters and rescue groups in the same spaces.
11. Host Awareness-Raising Events
Organize events in your community to educate people about puppy mills and promote adoption:
- Dog walks or 5K runs
- Bake sales or yard sales with proceeds going to anti-puppy mill organizations
- Information booths at local events
- Documentary screenings
12. Donate to Organizations Fighting Puppy Mills
Several national and local organizations are working to end puppy mills through education, rescue, rehabilitation, and legislative advocacy. Consider donating to:
- SPCA International
- Best Friends Animal Society
- Humane Society of the United States
- Local rescue groups that take in puppy mill survivors
Your donations help fund investigations, rescue operations, and campaigns to change laws.
13. Foster a Puppy Mill Survivor
Rescued puppy mill dogs often need specialized care and patience to overcome their trauma. By fostering one of these dogs, you can help them learn to trust humans and prepare for adoption into a forever home.
When we fostered Bella, a former breeding dog from a mill, it took months for her to learn basic things like walking on a leash and playing with toys. But seeing her transformation was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life!
14. Don’t Give Up!
The fight against puppy mills has been going on for decades, and it won’t end overnight. But we’re making progress! Every person you educate, every adoption you facilitate, and every letter you write to a legislator makes a difference.
How to Identify a Puppy Mill Dog in a Pet Store
Sometimes, recognizing puppies that come from mills can help you warn potential buyers. Look for these signs:
- Multiple breeds available at the same store
- Puppies kept in small cages with wire flooring
- Lack of information about the breeder or where the puppies were born
- Puppies that appear sick, lethargic, or fearful
- Staff who can’t or won’t answer specific questions about the puppies’ origins
- “Discounted” or “on sale” puppies
The True Cost of a Puppy Mill Puppy
While the sticker price might seem reasonable, the true cost of a puppy mill puppy can be much higher:
- Expensive veterinary bills for genetic health issues
- Behavioral training for fear or aggression problems
- Emotional toll on your family if the puppy becomes seriously ill
- Supporting an industry that causes immense suffering
Success Stories: Communities Making a Difference
Several communities have successfully banned the sale of puppies in pet stores, effectively cutting off a major distribution channel for puppy mills. California became the first state to pass such legislation, and many cities across the country have followed suit.
In my own community, we recently convinced a local pet store to switch to an adoption model. Now, instead of selling puppies from unknown sources, they host adoption events for our local shelter every weekend!
Ending puppy mills won’t happen with just one approach. It requires a combination of consumer education, legislative action, and community involvement. By making thoughtful choices about where we get our pets and speaking up against cruelty, we can create a future where all dogs are treated with the love and respect they deserve.
Remember, every time you choose adoption over shopping, you’re not just saving one dog – you’re helping to break the cycle of cruelty that keeps puppy mills in business. Together, we can create a world where puppy mills are a thing of the past.
What actions have you taken to fight puppy mills? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments below!
What is A Puppy Mill
A puppy mill is any dog breeder who puts profit over the health and well-being of the breeding dogs and puppies produced. Learn how puppy mills sell online, how to spot breeder red flags and how to find a responsible breeder.
What You Need to Know
High concentrations of commercial dog breeders are found in these communities.
A mostly unknown horror, the auctioning of dogs still exists in the United States.
Visit our Puppy Mill News section for blog posts and other puppy mill information.
Learn how your tax deductible donation can help us end puppy mill cruelty.
Puppy Mills: What They Are & How to Stop Them
FAQ
How can we stop people from killing animals?
- EDUCATE AND RAISE AWARENESS. …
- REPORT ABUSE TO AUTHORITIES. …
- LOBBY FOR BETTER ANIMAL PROTECTION LAWS. …
- ADOPT OR FOSTER ANIMALS FROM SHELTERS. …
- CHOOSE ANIMAL-FREE PRODUCTS. …
- CARE FOR YOUR ANIMAL COMPANIONS RESPONSIBLY. …
- VOLUNTEER AT ANIMAL SHELTERS.
What pet stores sell dogs from puppy mills?
Petland is the only national pet store chain in the United States that still sells puppies. Petland is also the largest retailer of puppy mill dogs.
What happens to unsold puppies from puppy mills?
Unsold puppy mill puppies are often abandoned, sold at steep discounts, euthanized, or used for future breeding.2 days ago
How to tell if a puppy is from a puppy mill?