Can you imagine forcing your pet dog to live his or her entire life in a small wire cage with no human companionship, toys or comfort, and little hope of ever becoming part of a family? That is what life is like for a puppy mill breeding dog. Help us stop this cycle of cruelty that contributes to pet overpopulation and the suffering of countless dogs.
Puppy mills have been around for decades. They continue to thrive because they prey on unwitting consumers who are smitten by too-cute-for-words puppies in pet store windows and on legitimate-seeming websites. Puppy mills house dogs in shockingly poor conditions. After their fertility wanes, breeding animals are often killed, abandoned or sold cheaply to another mill to try and get "one more litter" out of the dog. The annual result of all this breeding is millions of puppies, many with behavior and/or health problems.
Learn how to shop smart if you're thinking about getting a dog, and help us spread the word about the cruelty behind the cuteness.
Former Puppy Mill Insider Speaks Out
Timmy Bullion worked at Southern Virginia puppy mills selling locally and to pet stores, including the largest known puppy mill in Virginia at the time, where more than 1,000 dogs lived in cramped, barren cages. Watch the video above, then sign our pledge to stop puppy mills.
Learn MoreNews & Events
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March 10, 2010
Vermonters Gather at Capitol to Lobby for Animal Protection
Animal welfare advocates from across Vermont are joining The HSUS for Humane Lobby Day in Montpelier on Wednesday.
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March 9, 2010
Iowa Gov. Culver Signs Bill to Combat Puppy Mills
The HSUS applauds Gov. Chet Culver and the Iowa legislature for enacting a bill to broaden state oversight of large-scale puppy producing operations, known as puppy mills.
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March 6, 2010
90 Dogs Rescued from New Jersey Puppy Mill
Ninety dogs have a new lease on life after the New Jersey SPCA, The HSUS, Cumberland County SPCA and Gloucester County Animal Control/Animal Shelter removed them from a puppy mill operation in Upper Pittsgrove Township.
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March 2, 2010
Oklahoma Advocates Lobby to Crack Down on Puppy Mills
Oklahomans participating in Humane Lobby Day 2010 will meet with lawmakers at the capitol to urge them to pass legislation to crack down on puppy mills.
Our Victories
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February 26, 2010
Puppy Mill Operator Sentenced to 10 Years
The HSUS applauds Judge Timothy Easter for imposing an appropriate sentence following the conviction of the owner of Pine Bluff Kennels in Lyles, Tenn., on animal cruelty charges.
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February 8, 2010
Anniversary of Freedom
February 6, 2010 marked the one-year anniversary of freedom for 283 dogs rescued from dismal, filthy conditions at a puppy mill near Goldsboro, NC.
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February 2, 2010
West Hollywood City Council Prohibits Retail Sales of Dogs and Cats
The West Hollywood city council passed an ordinance to prohibit retail sales of dogs and cats at pet stores, closing off a primary channel for the sale of dogs from puppy mills.
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January 29, 2010
Cook County Government Passes Tethering Law to Protect Dogs and Community
The HSUS commends the Cook County Board of Commissioners for passing an ordinance to stop the inhumane tethering of dogs.










