For more than four decades, The Humane Society of the United States has been working to stop puppy mills. Puppy mills are large scale operations that force “breeder dogs” to produce litter after litter to support consumer demand for purebred pets. For years, these dogs are continually bred—without human companionship or hope of ever becoming part of a family.

The puppies are sold in pet stores or over the Internet, storefronts that mask the suffering, disease, malnutrition, and loneliness of puppy mills. Even the puppies themselves are prone to a variety of illnesses. Some die within days or weeks of purchase.

Most people are unaware that when they buy a purebred puppy they are often supporting a cruel and inhumane industry.

What You Can Do

The number one way consumers can help shut down puppy mills is to avoid purchasing dogs from pet stores, and adopt from a local shelter or rescue group instead. There are millions of companion animals in shelters across the U.S., and one out of every four dogs at your local shelter is a pure-bred.


Take the pledge to stop puppy mills! http://www.humanesociety.org/puppymills

How to avoid buying a puppy mill dog: http://www.stoppuppymills.org/puppy_buying_tips.html

Find out more about adoption: http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_adoption_information/find-your-one-in-a-million-friend/


Check out the video player below and watch over a dozen puppy mill raid, rescue, and investigation videos.



Puppy Mill News:


[9/19/09] Join us in Lancaster, Pa for Puppy Mill Awareness Day!


[9/19/09] MICHIGAN group takes action on Puppy Mill Awareness Day!


[9/2/2009] 172 dogs rescued from a puppy mill in Parker, SD


[9/1/2009] 80 dogs rescued from a puppy mill in New Albany, MS


[8/31/2009] Cumberland Furnace, TN 54-dog puppy mill rescue


[8/30/2009] 200 dogs rescued from multiple puppy mills in Lucama, NC


[8/21/2009] 100 dogs rescued from a deplorable puppy mill in Stuart's Draft, VA


[8/11/2009] 540 dogs rescued from a puppy mill in Kaufman, TX


[6/23/2009] 216 dogs rescued from an illegal puppy mill in Allentown, PA


[6-09] Petland Investigation No. 2 - Same Old Tricks


[5-09] Set your recorders now! Special episode of Dog Whisperer: Inside Puppy Mills on May 8th


[4-09] Animal Planet - Puppy Mills: Exposed - Airs April 27th, 2009 at 10pm e/p


[3-17-09] Petland Faces Class Action Lawsuit for Peddling Unhealthy Puppy Mill Dogs in at Least 20 States


[3-6-09] 300 dogs rescued from a North Carolina Puppy Mill.

Check out: Southeast Michigan Puppy Mill Awareness Meetup's 2009 Nude Puppy Mill Survivor Calender


[1-24-09] Rescuers save nearly 600 dogs from three puppy mills in Washington, almost 80 % are pregnant.


[1-10-09] Crowds of animal advocates demonstrate in front of Petland stores nationwide. Click here for PHOTOS.


[12-12-08] Nearly 100 dogs rescued from appalling puppy mill in Montreal. Watch the VIDEO.


[11-20-08] HSUS releases eight-month investigation into Petland, the nation's largest retail supporter of puppy mills.


[11-18-08] Listen to and share the new version of "How Much is that Doggie in the Window" sung by Patti Page.
She recorded the original nearly 60 years ago when puppy mills weren't the massive problem they are today. Now, over the same familiar melody, new lyrics sing the praise of shelters instead of puppy mills, and the song is destined to become an anthem for homeless pets. Patti's song may inspire you to visit your local animal shelter to see how you can offer support. Shelters bear the brunt of the homeless pet crisis caused by over-breeding.


[11-5-08] Statement of Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, on President-Elect Barack Obama’s “First Pet”

[8-27-08] A Rare Breed Of Love: Jana Kohl speaks out about Puppy Mills

[8-26-08] 1,000 Freed from West VA Puppy Mill


[6-27-08] HSUS Raids Tennessee Puppy Mill

[4-17-08] Oprah helps pets—and so can you!

[12-27-07] Pets of Bel Air: Customers Speak Out

[12-21-08] Puppy Love

[12-11-08] Scandal in Hollywood: where do puppies really come from?



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