What is a puppy mill? Puppy mills are inhumane high-volume dog breeding facilities that churn out puppies for profit, ignoring the needs of the pups and their mothers. We're fighting to end this cruelty, but we need your help. Here are seven ways you can take action to stop puppy mills: 1. Help make...
There are many responsible breeders who treat their dogs with care, never over-breed them and ensure they have clean and spacious living quarters and plenty of exercise and personal attention. Unfortunately, there are also more than 10,000 puppy mills in the United States—and almost all of them...
Contents What is a puppy mill? What is the HSUS doing about puppy mills? Are there any laws that regulate puppy mills? There is a puppy mill in my area. How can I get the authorities to investigate and shut it down? I bought a puppy and they got sick. What can I do? Should I get a puppy or other...
The Humane Society of the United States released its 11th annual Horrible Hundred report today, drawing back the curtain to reveal the cruelty and broken enforcement system lurking behind the cute puppies that the public sees in pet stores and online. The report describes violations such as failing...
Last week, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed SB 620—the so-called “Local Business Protection Act”—and in doing so ensured that Florida localities can continue to protect animals and consumers from the cruel puppy-mill-to-pet-store pipeline. The Florida legislature recently passed the extremely broad...

In May, we published our 10th annual Horrible Hundred report, a list of problem puppy mills in the United States. The source of many puppies sold online or in pet stores, puppy mills are large commercial dog-breeding operations that put profits ahead of animal welfare. Sick or injured dogs, unsafe...
Are you getting a new dog or thinking about it? We're so excited for you and we know you'll give your new companion a great, loving home. Once you've decided you're ready for a dog, the next big decision is where to find this lifelong family member. You'll want to make sure to not get an animal from...
NEW YORK—Today, the New York State Senate approved S.1130, to shut down the puppy mill pipeline and end the retail sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in pet stores across the state. Sponsored by Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris, the bill is supported by leading animal welfare groups...
NEW YORK CITY (Dec. 8, 2021)—A heartbreaking undercover investigation by the Humane Society of the United States at American Kennels pet store in Manhattan revealed sick and dying puppies stored in the designated sick rooms and a basement, hidden from the public. Some of the ailing dogs were sold to...

Dryfork Kennel owner Bill Nored should have known the rules. In 2019, U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors cited him for violating the Animal Welfare Act when they found a poodle at his Prim, Arkansas, commercial breeding operation with a plum-size mass on her chest. They also discovered a...
NEW YORK—Today, animal welfare groups commended Gov. Kathy Hochul for signing the Puppy Mill Pipeline Bill, groundbreaking legislation that will stop the flow of cruelly bred puppies to New York pet stores by ending the retail sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in pet stores across the state. Championed...
The Humane Society of the United States released its 10th annual Horrible Hundred report today, revealing thousands of dogs suffering across the country at commercial dog breeding operations known as puppy mills—many of which are still in business despite years of documented animal welfare...
The Humane Society of the United States is assisting the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office in rescuing nearly 100 dogs and puppies in a large-scale alleged cruelty situation at a breeder’s residential property in Hertford County, North Carolina. Orange County Animal Services also assisted on-scene...
Crate training a puppy takes advantage of the dog’s natural instincts to seek out a comfortable, quiet and safe place when the environment around them becomes too loud or overwhelming. It’s an important tool in preventing dogs from chewing on items in the home or during housetraining. Crates are...
Despite what they may tell you, most pet stores do sell puppy mill puppies. Here's a list of common claims by pet stores and what they really mean. "Our puppies come from breeders, not puppy mills." The word breeder is not an exclusive term. Anyone who puts two dogs together and produces puppies is...
Internet pet sale scams We all know the internet can be a great place to buy anything from books to rare gifts, but it's not where you should go to buy a new pet. In addition to disreputable dealers and puppy mills, internet scammers have crept into the realm of online pet sales, stealing money from...