Shedding light on the horrors of puppy mills

The Humane Society of the United States presents the following reports on puppy mills for reference by animal advocates, members of the media and researchers.

  • Puppy mills are inhumane commercial dog breeding facilities that may sell puppies in pet stores, online or directly to the public (in flea markets or via classified ads).
  • Puppy mills disregard the dogs' health—both physical and emotional—in order to maximize profits.
  • It is estimated that there are at least 10,000 puppy mills in the United States, fewer than 3,000 of which are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Sick corgi in cage at Petland

There are thousands of puppy mills—mass-breeding operations where mother dogs spend their entire lives in cramped cages—across the country being supported by pet stores like Petland.

The HSUS