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.
I bought a puppy and they got sick. What can I do?
Step 1: Please take your puppy to a veterinarian as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. Save all records and receipts.
Step 2: Prepare your complaint. It is imperative that you put together as much information as possible to support your case. Please gather as many of the following items as possible:
Step 3: Contact the breeder or pet store where you purchased the dog. Your purchase agreement or store or breeder policy may provide you with some financial recourse. Please note that many sellers will encourage you to return the puppy for an exchange or refund, but that is usually not in the best interests of your puppy. You may have other reimbursement options that do not require you to return the pet. For example, many states have puppy lemon laws that require pet sellers to reimburse a pet owner for veterinary bills up to the purchase price of the puppy, if the puppy becomes ill with a condition that existed at the time of sale. Contact your state Attorney Generals office to find out more about puppy lemon laws in your state or to report a seller if you feel a law has been broken. For specific advice on how to handle your particular case, consult a local attorney or consider going to small claims court.
Step 4: Complete the Puppy Buyer Complaint Form. This form enables the HSUS to keep track of problem sellers and ensures that we have as much information as possible to help us in our fight to stop puppy mills. It also allows us to help other puppy buyers and report chronic abusers to relevant agencies. This information is compiled for reference and statistical purposes and will help us gather general information needed to advocate against puppy mills. You can also use our printable Pet Seller Complaint Form [PDF] to organize your case for possible further action. Please note that the HSUS is not a government or law enforcement agency and cannot guarantee action on every complaint.
Why Are Puppy Mills Legal?
As we mentioned, a puppy mill is a commercial dog breeding facility that often creates one or more breeds for sale to the public. However, these facilities often break laws during breeding and operate within questionable guidelines.
Many dogs live in inhumane conditions for many years due to the lack of laws governing dog breeding facilities. It’s also more likely that these dogs may produce unhealthy dogs as their living conditions are often not adequate.
Yes, there are laws regarding dog breeding in the US when Congress passed the Animal Welfare Act in 1966 that created several rules and minimum care standards for dogs and several other pets. It also requires some breeders to obtain a license, but these rules are easy to get around and difficult to enforce, so it’s not difficult for a puppy mill to get set up and create low-cost designer dogs.
The United States Department Of Agriculture (USDA) has the burden of enforcing these laws. However, very few officers must visit a huge number of establishments each year, and many go unchecked for several years at a time. These officers not only inspect breeders, but they must also inspect wildlife parks and zoos. When they do conduct checks of breeding facilities, the inspection is often very light and quick. Unscrupulous breeders can hide their behavior and continue their operation once the inspectors leave. Until the USDA can hire more inspectors, the problem is likely to continue.
Wait, puppy mills are legal?
A puppy mill is a commercial dog breeding facility. These facilities can create any breed, and many people may not realize that they are completely legal. Dog breeding is not only legal, it’s essential for the creation and preservation of many species. A good breeder has a better chance of providing you with a healthy, show quality dog than would be possible through natural breeding. However, a puppy mill does not always provide adequate care for its dogs, and puppy mills have a reputation for operating outside of the law. These breeders often produce large numbers of animals to sell at local pet stores at a low cost. Keep reading while we look at the difference between a puppy mill and a high-quality breeder and discuss how you can tell the difference. We’ll also discuss what laws are in place to prevent the mistreatment of animals in places like puppy mills and what you can do to join the cause.