Puppy farms (mills) produce dogs in conditions that cause severe welfare suffering to breeding dogs and predispose puppies to lifelong health and behavioural problems.
Puppy farming causes lifelong suffering at multiple levels. Breeding mothers live in chronic deprivation — no exercise, no positive human contact, repeated pregnancies, and inadequate veterinary care. Puppies removed too early from their mothers and littermates have disrupted socialisation windows, leading to lifelong anxiety, aggression, and behavioural problems. The hidden nature of puppy farms — with sales through intermediaries — makes consumer protection difficult. Lucy's Law and equivalent legislation have significantly improved transparency by requiring direct sale from breeder or rescue only.