Puppy Mills
Combating puppy mills through multiple legal channels
Despite heightened public awareness, puppy mills continue to plague communities across the nation. The Animal Legal Defense is working across the country to combat puppy mills from multiple legal channels.
The term “puppy mill” generally refers to a large-scale commercial dog-breeding facility where the emphasis is on profits over the welfare of the dogs. The goal of puppy mills is to produce the largest number of puppies as quickly as possible, without consideration of genetic quality or the care of the animals.
The dogs are generally kept in crowded, unsanitary conditions. They often lack good food, clean water, and veterinary care. The mother “breeder” dogs may give birth to multiple litters per year throughout her adult life. They, and aging father dogs, will regularly be abandoned or killed when they are no longer “useful” to their owners.
As a result of the breeding practices of puppy mills, it is common for puppy mill dogs to suffer from genetic and hereditary conditions, and deadly diseases. Additionally, many puppy mill dogs experience behavioral and psychological problems throughout their lives from lack of early socialization and being weaned too young.
Mother dogs in puppy mills spend their entire lives in cramped cages made with painful metal wirestrand flooring, often stacked atop one another.
The vast majority of pet stores source their puppies from puppy mills across the United States.
Dogs in puppy mills live in crowded, unsanitary conditions and rarely receive even basic veterinary care.
A puppy mill is a large-scale commercial dog-breeding facility where profits are valued more than the well-being of the dogs.
Puppies born into puppy mills are raised and transported in filthy conditions, deprived of social contact, and frequently shipped at younger ages than permitted by animal protection laws.
The vast majority of pet stores source their puppies from puppy mills across the United States.
Pet stores routinely advertise puppies as sourced from “USDA-licensed” breeders but this license only means the breeder provides the bare minimum of care to keep its dogs alive.
No More Puppy Mills
Puppy mill operators maximize their profits by producing large numbers of puppies as quickly as possible. As a result, unsanitary conditions, disease, and neglect are rampant.
Sign our pledge to boycott puppy mills. Together we can end cruel puppy mills.
Related News
-
Congrats to the 2018 Student Chapters of the Year!
These awards celebrate chapters that have shown incredible efforts in advancing animal law and advocating for animals through original projects and initiatives. Animal Legal Defense Fund Student Chapters are a vital part of the growing animal law movement.November 13, 2018 Student Chapter Spotlight -
Missouri Passes Unconstitutional Law Restricting the Marketing of Alternative Meat Products
Missouri passed a law that prohibits many products — including plant-based and cellular meat — from identifying themselves as “meat.” The new legislation, which became effective on August 28, 2018, carries criminal penalties of prison time and fines.November 8, 2018 Animal Law Update -
Building Successful Animal Cruelty Cases from the Crime Scene to Court Room: Training Washington State Law Enforcement Officers and Prosecutors
Law enforcement officers and prosecutors who respond to crimes face a host of challenges. From neglected cows who are unable to testify, to dog fighting ‘evidence’ having puppies, the unexpected is a matter of course in the struggle against animal cruelty.November 7, 2018 News
Related Cases
-
Challenging the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Regulation of Puppy Mills
Barbara Keith v Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
-
Challenging Missouri’s “Meat” Law
Turtle Island Foods v Richardson
-
Justice the Horse Sues Abuser
Justice v Gwendolyn Vercher
Looking for case and legal resources? View Resources
See More