How do puppy mills work

More and more communities are banning the sale of mill-bred pets in stores, but many Americans are still unaware of the connection between pet stores and puppy mills.

Websites: Just like pet stores, most websites that sell dogs are selling mill-bred pets, and most of these sites market the puppies as well-bred and lovingly raised. Please beware of any ads that list several breeds for sale. And if the breeder won't let you visit so that you can see where the dogs and puppies live, you are likely dealing with a puppy mill. No matter how convincing a website is, the best way to ensure that you're not supporting a puppy mill is never to buy a pet online.

Classified ads: Unscrupulous breeders will often place classified ads on mainstream websites, offering purposely bred animals for "adoption. Red flags to look for include a high adoption fee, a cash-only transaction, several breeds of puppies for adoption, and any offers of a free puppy shipped to your door with payment of a transport charge. Through Best Friends' puppy mill initiatives, we are working to convince pet stores to offer pets for adoption instead of selling mill-bred pets, educate consumers about puppy mills, and create and lobby for humane legislation.

Together, we're making an impact and saving lives. The highest concentration is in the Midwest, but there are also high concentrations in other areas, including Pennsylvania, Ohio and upstate New York. Commercial dog breeding is very prevalent among Amish and Mennonite farmers, with pockets of Amish dog breeders found throughout the country, including in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and parts of Wisconsin.

At any given point in time, there are typically between 2, and 3, USDA-licensed breeders commonly referred to as puppy mills operating in the United States. However, this number does not take into consideration the number of breeders not required to be licensed by the USDA or the number of breeders operating illegally without a license.

The number of dogs in a puppy mill can vary significantly. Some puppy mills are relatively small, with only 10 breeding dogs. Other breeders run massive operations with more than 1, breeding dogs!

Not necessarily. The federal Animal Welfare Act requires breeders who have more than three breeding female dogs and sell puppies to pet stores or puppy brokers to be licensed and inspected by the U. In addition to the federal law, some states have laws that regulate the commercial breeding industry as well. However, in most cases, the standards that breeders are required to meet by law are extremely minimal. Conditions that most people would consider inhumane, or even cruel, are often totally legal.

For more information, please see our page on laws that protect dogs in puppy mills. Pet stores often use this licensing to provide a false sense of security to customers, when what it really means is that they do, in fact, get their puppies from puppy mills.

The fact is, responsible breeders would never sell a puppy through a pet store because they want to screen potential buyers to ensure that the puppies are going to good homes. Many registered dogs are sold in puppy mills. The only way you can be sure that a puppy came from a reputable source is to see where he or she came from yourself. Many puppies sold online come from puppy mills. The only way you can be sure that a puppy came from a reputable source is to see where he or she came from yourself!

Learn more about why you should never buy a puppy online. Please make adoption your first option. Purebred dogs end up in shelters just like mixed breeds. Some are left outside in cages without any protection from heat, wind, rain or cold weather. The severely underweight animals were housed in feces—encrusted pens and suffering from neglect—skin disease, rotted teeth, malnutrition, fur matted with feces, and various other infections were rampant.

According to the ASPCA , many dogs in puppy mills completely lack human socialization and some have never stepped foot outside a small area where they are housed. Consumer beware Aside from the horrific conditions in which these dogs live, there are issues for a consumer purchasing a puppy mill puppy. Often, puppy mill puppies have myriad health issues, including genetic diseases that may not be apparent until years later like epilepsy, kidney disease, blood and endocrine disorders, eye problems and respiratory disorders.

In addition, many puppy mill puppies are sickly when they arrive at the pet store or in their new home. The most common illnesses reported by consumers who purchased suspected puppy mill puppies include: intestinal parasites, respiratory issues, parvovirus, canine distemper, ear issues, skin disorders and urinary and bladder issues.

Still other puppies exhibit behavior issues like shyness, aggression, fear or anxiety, due to improper socialization and being removed from their mothers at such a young age.

According to the ASPCA , the lineage records of puppy mill puppies are frequently falsified so unsuspecting consumers are duped into believing their dog is a certain breed when, in fact, they may not be. Puppy mills sell their puppies to unsuspecting consumers in a variety of ways. Pet stores — While more and more pet stores are halting puppy sales, there are thousands that still offer puppy mill puppies in their stores.

Consumers who find it hard to resist a sweet, cuddly puppy face keep the industry alive. Flea Markets, Roadside Stands or Festivals — Like in pet stores, consumers find it hard to resist the sweet cuddly puppies sold at flea markets or roadside stands.