Puppy Mills are large-scale commercial dog breeding facilities that operate for the sole purpose of making a profit. The care and well-being of dogs at puppy mills are not a priority; dogs are treated as commodities. 

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Dogs are kept in unsanitary, overcrowded conditions, which do not supply adequate food or water to support quality of life. Many of the dogs have never even stepped foot on grass. The horrible living conditions and lack of veterinary care lead to emotional, social, and physical issues, including genetic disorders and deformities.

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In an effort to capitalize on profit, female dogs are bred at alarming rates with little-to-no recovery time between litters. Puppy mills do not check for congenital disabilities and illnesses that may be passed on to their offspring.

 

Many of the dogs die in their cages. Mother dogs, who can no longer breed, are considered useless and are killed by the puppy mill owners in several inhumane ways, such as drowning, starving, shooting, beating, or even burying them alive. ​

 

When puppies are bought from pet stores, buyers contribute to the endless cycle of abuse that the mother and father dogs left at the puppy mills will continue to endure until they succumb to their mistreatment or are killed because they're no longer deemed profitable.

 

Puppy Mill Facts

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• In the United States, there are an estimated 15,000 puppy mills in the U.S. alone.

 

• Missouri has the highest concentration of puppy mills.

 

• An estimated 2.4 million puppies are sold each year.

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• Around 25 percent of dogs in shelters are purebreds, so purchasing a dog is not the only way to get a purebred dog.

 

• There are approximately 800,000 adult dogs kept in confinement and used for breeding purposes in unlicensed and licensed puppy mills across the nation.

 

• Nearly 100% of all puppies sold at pet stores come from puppy mills.

 

• Approximately 1.2 million dogs are euthanized in shelters every year.

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What Can You Do To Help? 
Research puppy mills, and don't be fooled by misleading websites or pet store promises. Remember, nearly 100% of all puppies sold at pet stores come from puppy mills. 
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• Adopt your next pet from a shelter or rescue​

• Educate others with your newfound knowledge and support local animal shelters. 

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To find out more and support groups that fight puppy mills check out these links. 

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http://www.thepuppymillproject.org/about-puppy-mills/

 

http://animalrescuecorps.org/learn/puppy-mills/

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https://harleysdream.org/mission-statement/

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Adopt Don't Shop

Please adopt animals from local shelters and rescues. If you are searching for a specific breed, you can find them through a simple internet search such as "pit bull rescues near me" you can also find adoptable pets, animal shelters, and rescues through the website Petfinder. https://www.petfinder.com/

 

Organize A Peaceful Pet Store Protest

Pet store protests help raise awareness about puppy mills and why it is important that people adopt not shop. Visit our website http://oneposter.org/ for free downloadable protest posters and flyers.