What a Puppy Mill is & How to Recognize One

By: Brianna Gunter / Published Feb 10, 2023

Bringing a new puppy into the family is a major decision. You need to puppy-proof puppy-proof your home home, adjust your schedule, plan for canine health needs, and wait—have you decided where to get your dog in the first place?

Recent decades have seen a cultural shift towards rescue shelters and ethical breeders as preferred sources for dog adoption. However, unethical breeder establishments or “puppy mills” are still a reality. While many prospective pet owners are determined to avoid these places during the adoption process, the stark reality is that puppy mills can be tough to detect.

Whether you’re looking to adopt a new new puppy or wondering where your beloved pet really came from, knowing how to spot the signs of a puppy mill and the risks that come with them will help you to navigate the system better.

What is a puppy mill, and why is it bad?

In a nutshell, the term “puppy mill” refers to any dog breeding facility where puppies are bred primarily for profit and in large quantities. Also known as “factory farms for dogs,” puppy mills are known for making profits a higher priority than the health and wellbeing of the animals involved.

As a result, puppy mills have become synonymous with poor living conditions, unclean spaces, and lack of proper veterinary care. This puts pets at higher risk of congenital issues and health health problems throughout life throughout life. The dogs who are kept confined to puppy mills for breeding purposes tend to face the brunt of the operation, often dying at early ages due to lack of care.

Many pet owners adopt dogs without knowledge of where they were born or under what conditions. In doing so, they face years of potentially avoidable pet health issues.

Puppy mills: quick facts

• Puppy mills are not illegal, but some countries (like Australia and the United Kingdom) have passed stricter regulations regarding veterinary requirements for breeders and where puppies can be sold.
• 1 in 3 dogs in Canada is estimated to come from a puppy mill
• The United States has an estimated 10,000 puppy mills in operation*
• Less than 3,000 of these puppy mills are regulated or licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)*
• 202,007 dogs are kept solely for breeding purposes in USDA-licensed facilities*
• 2.4 million puppies sold annually in the United States are estimated to come from puppy mills*
• 1.5 million pets are euthanized by animal shelters in the United States every year

*Statistics come from the United States Humane Society’s 2022 “Puppy Mills: Facts and Figures” report

What are the signs of a puppy mill?

The signs of a puppy mill can be tricky to identify. After all, puppy mill dogs are sold through both pet stores (including major chains) and breeders. But aside from actively looking for bad breeding and puppy-rearing conditions, there are some indicators to look out for during the dog adoption process:

The puppy is very young

Yes, we all love little, cute puppies. But there is such a thing as puppies being too young to be away from their mothers just yet. If the puppy is less than 8 weeks old (recommended minimum age of separation is between 8 and 12 weeks), he could be the result of a puppy mill.

Lack of health or background information

No matter where your dog comes from, the people who sold them to you should be able to provide as much information as possible regarding background and pedigree. They will also provide a vaccination and health screening report.

Unfriendly puppy behavior

Puppies that were ethically bred tend to be well-socialized and amiable with both humans and other dogs. Extremely shy or aggressive behavior could indicate one that has spent its early life in a puppy mill. Rescue dogs dogs may act this way as well, but the shelter will be able to provide more background.

Pricing seems too good to be true

The people involved with puppy mills are typically just looking for a quick sale. If the pricing is low compared to other breeders or shelters in the area or you notice little-to-no paperwork is involved, it could be the work of a puppy mill. It’s worth noting that ethical dog sales will typically involve a background check for prospective pet owners.

The puppy comes from another state

Many puppies in shelters are transferred from overcrowded shelters elsewhere. But if you’re going through a breeder or a pet store that says their dogs are from another state, it might be because they were shipped in from a puppy mill.

The breeder will not allow you to visit

Ethical dog breeders will usually permit prospective puppy parents to visit the premises, sometimes multiple times to get to know the dogs and where they come from. If a breeder requests bringing the puppy to you or meeting elsewhere, it could be because they don’t want you to see the conditions the dogs are in.

Something just doesn’t feel right during the process

Not all of these signs automatically mean you are looking at a puppy mill. But if you are noticing some things that don’t quite sit right with you, it might be best to go elsewhere.

All dogs’ health is worth protecting

Whether your best friend came from a puppy mill or not, there’s no telling what kinds of illnesses or injuries could pop up in his lifetime. Fortunately, a good pet insurance policy can help protect him from the unexpected. Learn more about how dog dog insurance can be an essential part of your pup’s healthcare today!