Meredith Lee / The HSUS
Puppy mills
It's time to end the cruel treatment of dogs in mass breeding operations.
The problem with puppy mills
In puppy mills, mother dogs spend their entire lives in cramped cages with little to no personal attention. Due to poor sanitation, overbreeding and a lack of preventive veterinary care, the puppies frequently suffer from a variety of health issues, creating heartbreaking challenges for families who should be enjoying the delights of adopting a new family member.
are estimated to be currently active in the United States
are kept solely for breeding purposes in all puppy mills
are sold each year after originating from a puppy mill
What are puppy mills?
Inhumane high-volume dog breeding facilities that churn out puppies for profit, ignoring the needs of the pups and their mothers. They commonly sell through internet sales, online classified ads, flea markets and pet stores. Responsible breeders will be happy to meet you in person and show you where the puppy was born and raised—and where their mom lives too.
Listen to our podcast: How to avoid supporting a puppy mill
Our work around the world
We're fighting to stop puppy mills on all possible levels, including supporting legislative changes, conducting investigations and litigation and promoting public awareness and education.
Working with local counsel, our Animal Protection Law team has assisted plaintiffs in lawsuits seeking to hold pet stores accountable for the harm they cause to animals and to their unwitting customers.
Amanda LoCoco, research program manager for our Stop Puppy Mills campaign, discusses how her work reviewing consumer complaints and breeder inspection reports is all in service of making a more humane world for dogs.
Some of the findings of our latest Horrible Hundred report sound like scenes from horror films. One breeder was associated with the American Kennel Club, a purebred dog registry organization that used to call itself “the dog’s champion.”
Since we first started publishing our Horrible Hundred report on problem puppy mills in 2013, at least 2,500 animals have been rescued from these bad breeders, and more than 250 puppy mills from our reports have closed.
In March this year, our Animal Rescue Team arrived at two properties in Milburn, Oklahoma, to assist the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office with an alleged animal cruelty situation.
The Humane Society of the United States joins Hoosier animal shelters, rescues and local governments in strongly opposing HB 1412.
Ohio Department of Agriculture/
Breeders to avoid
Our Horrible Hundred annual report documenting bad dog breeders in the United States.
Dig deeper
We're fighting to end the cruelty of high-volume dog breeding facilities that churn out puppies for profit. Learn more about the obstacles facing pups and their mothers and how you can help.
Share these tips with your family and friends to spare them the heartache of ending up with a dog whose puppy mill past casts a long shadow over their lives.
Humane World for Animals presents reports on puppy mills for reference by animal advocates, members of the media and researchers.
Want to buy a puppy? Protect yourself from greedy banks and pet stores.
A writer helps our Animal Rescue Team save 250 dogs from cruel conditions at a puppy mill.
When looking for a puppy, please skip pet stores and internet sites to consider a dog from a shelter or rescue first.
Looking to add a pet to your family? Local animal shelters and rescue groups can be great places to search for a new cat, dog, bird, small animal—or even a horse or pig! Here’s how to go about it.
Resources to help you have the best life with your pet.
Questions about puppy mills? We have answers!
Michelle Riley/The HSUS 2010
Petland fuels the cruel puppy-mill industry
Petland is the largest retailer of puppy mill dogs and undercover investigations have unveiled terrible suffering in Petland stores.
Take Action
There are an estimated 10,000 puppy mills across the country, where mother dogs spend their entire lives in cramped cages. Take action to help save puppies and their moms from suffering in these cruel mass-breeding operations.
Urge the USDA to protect puppies
Puppies and mother dogs suffer in puppy mills and urgently deserve better conditions.
Petland cruelty exposed
Undercover investigations have unveiled terrible suffering in Petland stores.
Stop puppy mills!
You can stop this cycle of cruelty by adopting your next pet. You can also donate to help shut down puppy mills and continue our lifesaving work for all animals.
Chuck Cook/For the HSUS