Puppy mills produce millions of dogs annually in conditions that cause severe physical and psychological suffering, with breeding dogs kept permanently caged and puppies sold through pet stores and online.
Puppy mill breeding dogs are among the most comprehensively deprived companion animals — permanently caged, repeatedly bred, denied veterinary care for chronic conditions, and discarded when reproductive capacity declines. Puppies removed from their mothers too early for transport and sale face immune deficiency and behavioral problems that persist throughout their lives. The consumer demand for specific breeds, often driven by appearance trends, fuels the puppy mill industry despite the availability of millions of rescue dogs. Breed-specific rescues exist for virtually every popular breed, making puppy mill purchases unnecessary.