Puppy Mills: Why They Exist and How to Avoid Supporting Them
Puppy mills in Wisconsin and across the United States continue to be a serious and
ongoing problem. A puppy mill is a high-volume breeding operation that prioritizes profit over the health, welfare, and wellbeing of the dogs.
The primary reason puppy mills continue to exist is simple: they are funded by the
public. Combined with weak legislation and a lack of humane laws to protect breeding
dogs, the system continues to thrive. At its core, this is an issue of supply and
demand. Without people purchasing puppies from these sources, the demand would
disappear—and without demand, there would be little incentive for millers to continue
breeding.
Breeds Commonly Affected by Puppy Mills
Many breeds are impacted by puppy mills, especially those that command high prices
or experience trend-driven popularity.
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Samoyeds are frequently targeted because of the top dollar they bring.
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Doodles, once wildly popular, led to inflated prices for mixed-breed dogs. As the trend declines, many of these dogs are now being dumped or surrendered to shelters.
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When breeds become trendy, such as French Bulldogs, Corgi and Boston Terriers, they also become heavily affected.
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Small breeds commonly sold in pet stores are puppy mill dogs: Toy Poodle, Shih Tzu, Maltese, Cavalier, Bichon, Pomeranian and Yorkie for a few examples.
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Any breed (or mixed designer mutt) can be from a puppy mill! Puppy mills sell their dogs on puppy find websites, AKC marketplace, Facebook listings, Craigs List, Pet stores and often they have their own website!
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Yes—pet store puppies are puppy mill dogs, regardless of the story a salesperson
tells you. No ethical breeder sends their puppies to a store. Responsible breeders want to know exactly where their puppies are going and ensure the home is a good fit for the breed—not just financially, but temperamentally and lifestyle-wise.
Good breeders also have contracts – a particular area of interest in these contracts is a return agreement. If for whatever reason the dog is to lose their home, they are required to notify and return the dog to the breeder. That is not something you will find with a mill or pet store!
Red Flags: Signs of a Puppy Mill or Backyard Breeder
Some common warning signs include:
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A “breeder” producing multiple breeds of dogs
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For example, someone claiming to love Nordic breeds and breeding Huskies, Malamutes, and Samoyeds—or even mixing them.
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Others breed endless variations of “teddy bears” or designer doodles.
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Multiple litters available year-round
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Separate buildings used to house breeding dogs
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Numerous online listings across platforms
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If you see these signs, you are very likely dealing with a puppy mill.
Beware of 3rd-Party Brokers
As more communities say “NO” to pet stores, a new unethical middleman has emerged: third-party brokers.
These individuals often claim they:
“Know a breeder” and/or are “Well connected”
Have “years of experience in the animal field”
In reality, they are simply exploiting buyers through misinformation and bait-and-switch tactics. They act as puppy mill facilitators while distancing themselves from the actual breeding operation. But they are actually getting a cut from the puppy sales or they could be running the puppy mill themselves. These are smooth talking, tell you what you want to hear puppy brokers! So it’s important that you are informed!
AKC Registration Does NOT Mean Ethical Breeding!!
The AKC:
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Does not conduct genetic or health testing
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Does not oversee breeders
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Does not inspect breeding environments, whelping conditions, or care of the dam and puppies
AKC registration only confirms pedigree—not health, temperament, or ethical practices.
We have been taking in AKC registered discarded breeding dogs from the Amish for years!
⚠️ Do not assume a breeder is reputable simply because they appear on the AKC
Marketplace or breeder list.
Follow these links for more information regarding Puppy Mills
Puppy mills | Humane World for Animals