05/08/2026
This week is National Puppy Mill Action Week! Puppy Mills are large scale breeding operations that have a goal to maximize profit, often at the expense of the animal. Many of the breeding animals never set foot out of the cage. The puppies or kittens in many cases are then sold through brokers. Pet stores and online sellers sell these puppies at exorbitant prices to whoever is willing to pay. You see happy puppies, clean kennels and it can be tempting. The reality is every pup sold keeps the mills in business.
There are estimated to be more than 10,000 puppy mills in the US. Mills often have dozens to hundreds of breeding stock. And yes, they are breeding stock regulated by the USDA.
How to spot a puppy mill bred pup:
🐾 Pet Stores. There are of course adoption partners that utilize pet stores for adoption events. But if it’s a puppy in a window scenario, it is from a mill.
🐾Online Sales. There are many direct buy options online. Pick a pup and it will be shipped.
🐾Breeders cannot show you where the puppies were raised, both parents (if sire is on site) and all health records for puppies and parents.
🐾Variety of breeds offered
🐾Third Party Deliveries
🐾Hung Papers
🐾 Off Standards Colors or Coats
When bringing a new puppy or kitten into your life, consider contacting your local kennel club, adopting, a private rehome or due diligence into the breeder.
❤️❤️❤️Picture of a well bred, perfect angel baby client dog (whose snout and chest are a bit thin for her standard but her brain is ALLLLLLL bird dog)❤️❤️❤️
