What is Petland?
Petland is a pet store chain, and while the company claims their puppies come only from reputable breeders and are in good health, our investigations prove otherwise.
Petland Ties to Puppy Mills: In addition to Petland's connection to large-scale inhumane breeders known as puppy mills, our investigators went undercover to see what conditions were like inside eight different Petland stores—this is what we found.
Petland and puppy mills
Humane World for Animals
Pet stores sell puppies to make a profit, so puppies with expensive medical needs often don’t get professional veterinary care that would cut into the store’s revenue. Instead, they receive ad-hoc treatment from staff members in back rooms that are not open to the public.
Petland stores across the nation routinely deceive consumers into believing the dogs they sell are raised humanely, vet-checked and guaranteed healthy by multiple warranties. But in reality, Petland stores regularly sell sick puppies. In many cases, families spend thousands of dollars trying to save the life of their new puppy.
In addition to the animal welfare concerns, pet store puppies have also been linked to human disease outbreaks. The CDC warned that the overuse of antibiotics in pet stores increases public risk for drug-resistant strains of disease. Approximately 95% of pet store puppies have been medicated with strong drugs, sometimes as a preventive measure, which leads to drug-resistant strains.
Petland lobbies against laws that protect animals
USDA
While many pet stores around the nation have successfully transitioned to a more humane model by no longer selling puppies from commercial breeders, and instead focus on pet products and services, Petland doubles down on its outdated model by lobbying against laws that would stop the sale of puppy mill dogs in pet stores.
Petland is joined in this effort by the American Kennel Club (AKC), which places signs throughout Petland stores and offers “registrations” even for the mixed-breed dogs Petland sells, creating a false impression that all of Petland’s breeders have been quality-checked by AKC.
Due to strong consumer concerns about the welfare of puppies in pet stores, more than 500 cities and towns, as well as six states, have prohibited the sales of puppy mill dogs in stores. Petland is the last large national chain store in the United States that clings to this outdated model.
Petland mistreats animals in its care
Humane World for Animals
Our investigators went undercover at randomly selected Petland stores (Frisco, TX; Tyler, TX; Sarasota, FL; Novi, MI; Kennesaw, GA; Las Vegas, NV; Fairfax, VA; Florence, KY; Wichita, KS and Henderson, NV) between the fall of 2018 and winter of 2024.
We witnessed shocking mistreatment of animals:
- Very sick, suffering puppies, including animals with seizures, respiratory infections, diarrhea, vomiting and dogs too sick to eat.
- Dead animals (mostly puppies and/or bunnies) were found in freezers at all five stores where investigators were able to inspect freezers, indicating Petland sometimes lets sick and injured animals die in its stores rather than seeking veterinary care.
- Staff admitted that sick puppies were common and rarely taken to veterinarians, including one distressed staff member who said, “Most of the dogs that go to the vet end up dying because we take them so last minute.”
As a result of these Petland investigations, the Fairfax, VA, store was shut down and its former manager was convicted of animal cruelty after one dead puppy and 31 dead rabbits were found in the freezer. The Frisco, TX store received citations from animal control for violations of the local animal welfare ordinance.
Save puppy mill dogs
Change is urgently needed. You can make a difference today. Take action to help protect dogs and puppies.
Animal Welfare Act
Puppies and mother dogs suffer in puppy mills and urgently deserve better conditions.
Petland cruelty exposed
Undercover investigations in Petland stores have revealed terrible suffering and even death.
Petland investigations
Humane World for Animals undercover investigations expose what Petland does not want the public to see.
A family fell ill after purchasing a puppy from Petland carrying a dangerous infection.
Disturbing footage reveals sick and wounded puppies suffering inside a Michigan Petland store.
Learn how Petland actively fights against laws that protect dogs and puppies.
Former Petland manager pleads guilty to multiple counts of animal cruelty and faces jail time.
Dangerous superbug outbreak to puppies sold by Petland stores in 13 states.
Investigations found puppies with hacking coughs, runny noses and even a dead puppy in a freezer.
After buying a sick puppy, one family was left with vet bills and pet loss.
Frequently asked questions
No. Petland is a pet store chain, not a breeding facility. However, through Humane World for Animals’ investigations, Petland has been directly linked to large-scale commercial dog breeders known as puppy mills. Petland continues to sell puppies sourced from commercial breeders and remains the last national chain in the United States that still sells dogs in its stores.
Humane World for Animals investigations found evidence of sick and suffering puppies in Petland stores, including animals with respiratory infections, seizures, diarrhea and other serious health issues. Investigators also uncovered proof through hidden cameras that sick puppies were rarely taken to veterinarians and that animals sometimes died in stores. Additionally, Petland continues to lobby against laws that would stop the sale of puppy mill dogs in pet stores.
Petland stores regularly sell puppies with serious health problems. Humane World for Animals investigators documented puppies suffering from illnesses and congenital conditions, while some families reportedly faced significant veterinary expenses after purchasing a puppy. Pet stores prioritize profits, which can discourage timely veterinary care for animals with costly medical needs.
Yes. Humane World for Animals investigators went undercover in multiple Petland stores across the United States between 2018 and 2024. During those investigations, they documented sick animals, reported concerns about animal care practices and gathered evidence about Petland's connections to puppy mills.
Humane World for Animals believes Petland's continued sale of puppies supports the puppy mill industry. While hundreds of communities and nearly a dozen states have adopted laws to prohibit the sale of puppy mill dogs in pet stores, Petland continues to defend and promote the sale of puppy mill dogs. Humane World advocates for adoption and other alternatives that do not rely on inhumane commercial breeding operations.
The best way you can help put a stop to puppy mills is by choosing not to buy your next pet from a pet store or internet site (and encouraging friends and family to do the same)! You can also support efforts to improve conditions for dogs and puppies by contacting elected officials, educating others, supporting stronger animal protection laws and learning more about the puppy mill industry. By learning more about puppy sourcing and speaking up for stronger protections, you can help dogs and puppies affected by puppy mills.
Michelle Riley/The HSUS
Humane World for Animals is exposing the United States puppy mill epidemic with an annual report of 100 known, problematic puppy breeding and/or puppy brokering facilities.
Renphoto/iStock.com
When looking for a puppy, please skip pet stores and internet sites to consider a dog from a shelter or rescue first.
The HSUS
Meredith Lee/Humane World for Animals
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Stop puppy mills!
You can stop this cycle of cruelty by adopting your next pet. You can also donate to help shut down puppy mills and continue our lifesaving work for all animals.
Chuck Cook/For the HSUS