Meredith Lee/Humane World For Animals
Humane World for Animals provides dogs rescued from a suspected neglect situation in Havre de Grace, MD with care and medical exams at the Care Center on August 28, 2025.
Meredith Lee / The HSUS
Puppy mills
It's time to end the cruel treatment of dogs in mass breeding operations.
The problem with puppy mills
In puppy mills, mother dogs spend their entire lives in cramped cages with little to no personal attention. Due to poor sanitation, overbreeding and a lack of preventive veterinary care, the puppies frequently suffer from a variety of health issues, creating heartbreaking challenges for families who should be enjoying the delights of adopting a new family member.
10,000
puppy mills
are estimated to be currently active in the United States
500,000
dogs
are kept solely for breeding purposes in all puppy mills
2.6 Million
puppies
are sold each year after originating from a puppy mill
What are puppy mills?
Inhumane high-volume dog breeding facilities that churn out puppies for profit, ignoring the needs of the pups and their mothers. They commonly sell through internet sales, online classified ads, flea markets and pet stores. Responsible breeders will be happy to meet you in person and show you where the puppy was born and raised—and where their mom lives too.
Listen to our podcast: How to avoid supporting a puppy mill
Our work around the world
We're fighting to stop puppy mills on all possible levels, including supporting legislative changes, conducting investigations and litigation and promoting public awareness and education.
Here, our undercover investigator, who will remain unnamed, tells the story of the firsthand experience of going undercover for a month at that Suffolk County puppy mill.
Amanda LoCoco, research program manager for our Stop Puppy Mills campaign, discusses how her work reviewing consumer complaints and breeder inspection reports is all in service of making a more humane world for dogs.
Working with local counsel, our Animal Protection Law team has assisted plaintiffs in lawsuits seeking to hold pet stores accountable for the harm they cause to animals and to their unwitting customers.
Ohio Department of Agriculture/
Exposing puppy mills
Breeders to avoid
Our Horrible Hundred annual report documenting bad dog breeders in the United States.
Dig deeper
We're fighting to end the cruelty of high-volume dog breeding facilities that churn out puppies for profit. Learn more about the obstacles facing pups and their mothers and how you can help.
Share these tips with your family and friends to spare them the heartache of ending up with a dog whose puppy mill past casts a long shadow over their lives.
Humane World for Animals presents reports on puppy mills for reference by animal advocates, members of the media and researchers.
Want to buy a puppy? Protect yourself from greedy banks and pet stores.
A writer helps our Animal Rescue Team save 250 dogs from cruel conditions at a puppy mill.
When looking for a puppy, please skip pet stores and internet sites to consider a dog from a shelter or rescue first.
Looking to add a pet to your family? Local animal shelters and rescue groups can be great places to search for a new cat, dog, bird, small animal—or even a horse or pig! Here’s how to go about it.
Resources to help you have the best life with your pet.
Questions about puppy mills? We have answers!
Michelle Riley/The HSUS 2010
Petland fuels the cruel puppy-mill industry
Petland is the largest retailer of puppy mill dogs and undercover investigations have unveiled terrible suffering in Petland stores.
Take Action
There are an estimated 10,000 puppy mills across the country, where mother dogs spend their entire lives in cramped cages. Take action to help save puppies and their moms from suffering in these cruel mass-breeding operations.
Related Petitions to Issue
Urge the USDA to protect puppies
Puppies and mother dogs suffer in puppy mills and urgently deserve better conditions.
Petland cruelty exposed
Undercover investigations have unveiled terrible suffering in Petland stores.
Latest News
As USDA moves to address puppy mill cruelties, humane advocates push for stronger standards of care at commercial dog breeding facilities United States
WASHINGTON—Humane World for Animals and Humane World Action Fund, formerly called Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Legislative Fund, are encouraged to see the U.S. Department of
Authorities in Costa Rica establish stronger controls on breeding and sale of dogs and cats Costa Rica
SAN JOSE—Costa Rican authorities have approved a vital new regulation that establishes stronger controls over establishments dedicated to the breeding and sale of dogs and cats. This regulation was
Undercover in a New York puppy mill: Investigation exposes disturbing conditions, sick puppies and cockroaches United States
NEW YORK—Humane World for Animals, formerly called the Humane Society of the United States, has released its recent investigation into a high-volume puppy mill. An investigator worked undercover at
Stop puppy mills!
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