What is the HSUS doing about puppy mills?
The HSUS takes a stand against puppy mills on all possible levels, including supporting legislative changes, conducting investigations and litigation and promoting public awareness and education. The HSUS also works with local authorities when called upon to help shut down the most abusive puppy mills.
Its important to know that, in many cases, puppy mills are not illegal. In most states, a breeding kennel can legally keep dozens, even hundreds, of dogs in cages for their entire lives, as long as the dogs are given the basics of food, water and shelter. When documented cruelty exists, the HSUS assists in shutting down puppy mills with the cooperation of local law enforcement. But while the HSUS is opposed to puppy mills, the HSUS cannot shut down or raid legal businesses. The HSUS is not a government, law enforcement or regulatory agency.
The Stop Puppy Mills campaign for the Humane Society of the United States works to stop the sale of puppy mill puppies and improve standards of care for dogs in commercial breeding operations through both national and local policy efforts and by educating consumers on the issue. The campaign has made important strides toward significantly increasing standards of care for these dogs by getting laws passed in 35 states, as well as upgrades to the federal Animal Welfare Act. The HSUSs investigations of puppy mills and pet stores have led to multiple consumer lawsuits and have shut down hundreds of puppy mills and related pet stores nationwide. Through awareness events, we have educated millions about the problems in the large-scale commercial dog breeding industry.
We’ve rescued more than 11,000 dogs from more than 50 different puppy mills since 2006—dogs who are now in loving homes.
We have supported national bills such as the Puppy Protection Act, which, if passed, would overhaul the conditions for dogs at federally-licensed facilities. We have also successfully pushed for nationwide regulatory reform and stronger enforcement of the federal Animal Welfare Act. We’re also working to stop the sale of puppies from mills, thereby shrinking, and ultimately eliminating, the marketplace that keeps puppy mills in business. We have helped pass laws that prohibit the sale of puppies in pet stores in five states and over 400 localities, and counting.
Our corporate outreach efforts provide positive reinforcement for pet stores that choose to not sell puppies. We helped nearly two dozen pet stores stop selling puppy mill puppies and instead help find homes for dogs from shelters and rescues. This program has helped over 35,000 shelter dogs get adopted into loving families.
Are there any laws that regulate puppy mills?
In 1966, Congress passed the Animal Welfare Act, which outlines specific minimum standards of care for dogs, cats and some other kinds of animals bred for commercial resale.
The AWA is enforced by the United States Department of Agriculture. Under the AWA, certain large-scale commercial breeders are required to be licensed and regularly inspected by the USDA. But there are many inefficiencies and loopholes in the system.
Only large-scale commercial facilities that breed or broker animals for resale—to pet stores for example—or sell puppies sight-unseen, such as over the internet, are required to be licensed and inspected by the USDA because they are considered “wholesale” operations. Those that sell directly to the public face-to-face—thousands of facilities that breed and sell just as many puppies as their wholesale counterparts—are not required to adhere to the Animal Welfare Act or to any federal humane care standards.
Inspection records obtained by the HSUS show that many USDA-licensed breeders get away with repeated violations of the Animal Welfare Act. These violators are rarely fined and their licenses are rarely suspended. Facilities with long histories of repeated violations for basic care conditions are often allowed to renew their licenses again and again.
For decades, the HSUS has been a leader in promoting legislative and regulatory changes that would address all large-scale breeding facilities. We also continue to encourage better staffing and funding for USDA inspection programs, which would increase enforcement capabilities.
There is a puppy mill in my area. How can I get the authorities to investigate and shut it down?
First, please be aware that operating a commercial breeding kennel may not be illegal in your area. But if you have seen specific evidence of cruelty or neglect, the first agency to contact is a local agency with law enforcement powers, such as the local humane society, animal control agency or police or sheriffs department.
Cruelty or neglect laws vary by state but typically address conditions such as animals without food and water, sick dogs who are not being medically treated or dogs without adequate shelter from the elements. Prepare specific details of your complaint in advance and, after you have made a report, get a case number or contact information related to your case. If you do not hear back from the local authorities within a week, please call them back to ask for an update, but be aware that if there is an ongoing investigation some information may not be available to the public. If you cant get local help for the situation or are not sure who to call, please contact us.
You may also wish to contact the United States Department of Agriculture Animal Care Division and find out if the USDA licenses the facility owner. Only “wholesale” breeding facilities (those that sell puppies to other businesses who in turn sell the puppies to the public, or sell to buyers “sight unseen,” such over online or by mail) are required to be USDA licensed—this is a small portion of all the large-scale breeders in the country. Currently licensed breeders and some of their most recent inspection reports are available on the USDA/APHIS website.
Our online complaint form is available to anyone with information on a possible crime involving puppy mills—especially information from those with “insider” knowledge, or from law enforcement officials who might be aware of such operations. If you witnessed deplorable conditions in person and wish to file a complaint with the HSUS, report it. You can also file a complaint with the USDA if the breeder sells online or to pet stores.
If you have purchased a puppy and wish to report problems to the HSUS, please report it using our online complaint form.
The cruel reality of puppy mills
Most people are familiar with the term “puppy mills” and have a generally negative impression of them. But do you really know why puppy mills are bad? We shed light on these inhumane facilities, why they still exist, and how you can avoid buying a mill-produced puppy. We also give you tips on what you can do to help put them out of business. Table Of Contents
Puppy mills are large-scale commercial dog breeding facilities whose priorities are profit over animal welfare. These dog factories mass-produce millions of puppies to sell them through pet stores, online “breeders,” and other websites. Some also breed dogs for animal research. Puppy mills are known for unethical practices, deplorable living conditions, poor nutrition, and inadequate health care for mothers and their litters. Unfortunately, these high-volume breeding facilities also exist for other pets, including cats.