Getting a Puppy? How to Avoid Supporting a Puppy Mill

Many people think that veterinarians have a dream job. Snuggling adorable puppies and kittens — what’s not to love? However, our job can also be quite demanding, with life-and-death decisions being made every day. So, with such a stressful job, a new puppy appointment should be a ray of sunshine, right? For many veterinarians, this may be the case, but not for me. Why? Puppy-mill puppies.

Mostly, I hate these appointments: I find them more depressing than a scheduled euthanasia. Don’t get me wrong. It’s not the puppy who’s upsetting me, but rather, it’s where the puppy is likely to have come from. A dog lover wanted a puppy, went to a pet store or found a breeder online, and bought a puppy. It may be a purebred or some made-up breed — say, a Chi-Pom-Poo — who is a mutt sold as an overpriced “designer dog.”

The person sitting in the exam room with the new puppy on their lap is a dog lover. They’re the first ones to sign a petition to stop puppy mills. They’ll spay or neuter their dog, keep the dog on heartworm preventive, and do all the things we vets recommend. They’re intelligent, a good pet parent, and a good person. They have a good heart, and had they known they were supporting the puppy mill industry, they would never have done it. But they’re also the reason puppy mills are thriving.

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What is a puppy mill?

Puppy mills prioritize profit over animal welfare, breeding large numbers of puppies in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions with minimal veterinary care. Puppy mills typically sell puppies online or to pet stores, without screening buyers and providing no support. Puppy mills and backyard breeders do not follow breed standards, nor do they conduct health tests, or raise puppies (who are often undersocialized) in home environments.

I once worked for a large humane organization that busted puppy mills. Before that, I personally rescued dogs from these horrible places. Here’s what I’ve seen and can never unsee: dogs in tiny wire cages with bleeding feet and nowhere flat to lie, fur so matted they can barely move, missing eyes, missing teeth, open wounds.

Some are kept in sheds and barns, and never see grass or the sun. Ever. Others are in outdoor pens, exposed to the elements year-round. They are born there, and they die there. They never leave the cage, never see a toy or a bed. Many never know a day without fear or pain. The worst part is the emotional abuse. These breeding dogs have never had a positive experience with a human.

The handful fortunate enough to be rescued often take months, sometimes years, to learn to trust people enough to be petted.

Pongsatorn Singnoy / Shutterstock/

Signs of a puppy mill

It’s not always easy to tell if you’re dealing with a puppy mill. So, how do you spot one? Here are some red flags to watch for, starting with where the puppy came from. 

• Pet store purchases: The overwhelming majority of puppies in pet stores are from puppy mills.

• Overbreeding states: A breeder is from one of the notorious puppy mill states (Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania). 

• No screening process: Reputable breeders and animal-rescue organizations ask questions. A lot of them. If someone is willing to hand you a puppy without learning about your home, lifestyle, or experience, that’s a problem. Likewise, be cautious if the breeder is always giving positive answers in an attempt to quell your questions.

• Early adoption: Puppies need time with their littermates and mom to develop key social and emotional skills. Separating them too early (before eight weeks) is a huge red flag.

• No vet records: Every pup should have at least a basic health check and age-appropriate vaccines before going to a new home. No vet visits? That’s a hard “no.” Along with vaccines, a vet’s records can also confirm overall health, birthdate, and age.

• Suspicious advertising: Vague breeder listings, stock photos, or the constant availability of puppies are all signs this could be a volume operation.

• No transparency about the parents or the facility: If an online breeder has a lovely web page, meeting the breeder somewhere other than the kennel site (“We’ll save you some driving…”) or not seeing the puppy’s parents are huge red flags. 

• Poor living conditions: If you do get a look and things seem dirty, cramped, or chaotic, trust your gut. That’s not how puppies should be raised responsibly.

• Too many breeds available: Puppy mills are large operations, so they can produce puppies from many breeds. Reputable breeders typically breed only one or two breeds at a time. And if they can’t answer basic questions about temperament, health concerns, or care, that’s a red flag.

• Not registered: A puppy’s mother and father registered in non-AKC registries signals a puppy mill — though some AKC and virtually all non-AKC dogs are products of these commercial breeders.

Adopting from a reputable rescue or breeder, compared to a puppy mill

Dog lovers are almost universally opposed to puppy mills. So, whether you’re working with a breeder or a breed-specific rescue, the pet adoption process shouldn’t feel like you’re shopping online. Unlike puppy mills, reputable sources care where their animals end up. That means they’ll have some steps in place and adoption requirements to make sure this is a good match for you and the pet.

• Requires references: You may be asked for personal or vet references, which help ensure their animals are going to solid homes.

• Requires a waiting period: A wait is normal, and honestly, a good sign. Getting the paperwork, scheduling meet and greets, and undergoing screening and home visits all take time.

• Provides vaccination and medical records: You should get clear, written proof of vet visits, vaccines, and any health testing or screenings done on the pup (or their parents).

• Encourages you to take your time: The right source will let you think it through and wants you to be prepared for a pet who matches your lifestyle and commitment level.

Here are a few questions to start with to ensure you’re connecting with an ethical organization.

• Can I visit the facility or foster home where the animals are being raised?

• Can I meet the puppies or kittens and their mom?

• How many breeding animals do you have?

• How many puppies do you have?

• Can I see vet records for the puppies and their parents?

• Do you sell animals to pet stores, pet brokers, or online pet wholesalers?

• Do you only adopt out or sell animals directly to individuals?

• Do you screen potential adopters?

• How many breeds do you have?

Simonas Rupsys / Shutterstock/

How do you stop puppy mills?

The only way to stop puppy mill abuse is for people to stop buying dogs from these places (see “Signs of a Puppy Mill,” above). Petitions and laws do not affect the industry. This is simply about supply and demand. 

We need education. Yes, it’s a hard conversation to have. No one wants to hear that they supported a puppy mill. There is unavoidable guilt, but that’s not the point. We must equip pet parents with information to make better decisions in the future, even if that process can be uncomfortable at times. That is what this fight needs: Only when people stop buying these puppies will the suffering of thousands of dogs end. 

What if I accidentally supported a puppy mill?

To those who’ve inadvertently purchased a dog from a puppy mill, here’s my advice: Love these dogs, and give them the life their poor parents will never know. And make an effort to tell your friends not to buy pets from pet shops or online breeders, no matter what the website says. Share your experience and knowledge on social media. Learn the red flags and teach them.

How can you find a puppy without promoting puppy mills? 

If you want to find a puppy without promoting puppy mills, start at your local rescue or shelter. And if you have your heart set on a specific breed, you can find many breed-specific rescue groups with puppies, young dogs, and adult dogs of nearly every breed. Start your puppy search on Adopt a Pet. The price of adopting a dog will also be far less expensive than buying one from a breeder. And if you don’t see the pet you’re looking for, set up a New Pet Alert so you can be notified when a new pet matching your preferences is added.

Avoid purchasing puppies online, at pet stores, or through organizations that exhibit any of the above-mentioned red flags.

Commonly asked questions

What to do if you think you’ve found a puppy mill? 

If you think you found a puppy mill, report it. You can submit a tip to the Humane World for Animals (HWA) through their puppy-mill tip form. They track these operations and work with local authorities. You can also send a tip to your local animal law-enforcement organization.

Are dog breeders bad?

Not all dog breeders are bad, but truly reputable ones are pretty rare. That’s because doing it right means having a limited number of dogs, providing excellent care and socialization, and prioritizing animal welfare over profit. Unfortunately, it’s surprisingly easy to get a USDA dog-breeding license, which means backyard breeders and puppy mills are everywhere.

Are puppy mills illegal?

Unfortunately, puppy mills are legal in certain jurisdictions.

What is a backyard breeder?

A backyard breeder is an irresponsible dog breeder. Like puppy mills, backyard breeders prioritize profits over animal welfare. These are operated by people who are unknowledgeable (or uninterested) about dog health, breed history, and safety.