What a Puppy Mill is & How to Recognize One

Bringing a new puppy or kitten into the family is a major decision. You need to get your home ready for a new pet, adjust your schedule, plan for their health needs, and wait — have you decided where to get your dog or cat in the first place?

Recent decades have seen a cultural shift towards rescue shelters and ethical breeders as preferred sources for dog adoption. However, unethical breeder establishments or “puppy mills” are still a reality. While many prospective pet owners are determined to avoid these places during the adoption process, the stark reality is that puppy mills can be tough to detect.

Whether you’re looking to adopt a new puppy or kitten — or you're just wondering where your beloved pet really came from — knowing how to spot the signs of a puppy mill and the risks that come with them will help you to navigate the system better.

What is a puppy mill, and why is it bad?

The term “puppy mill” traditionally refers to any dog breeding facility where puppies are bred primarily for profit and in large quantities. Also known as “factory farms for dogs,” puppy mills are known for making profits a higher priority than the health and wellbeing of the animals involved. Nowadays, the term can also refer to operations with poor standards for breeding cats, though sometimes "kitten mill" may be used instead.

But regardless of whether we're referring specifically to cats or dogs, puppy mills have become synonymous with poor living conditions, unclean spaces, and lack of proper veterinary care. Even facilities that are licensed may not be up to quality standards. This puts pets at higher risk of congenital issues and health problems throughout life throughout life. The dogs and cats who are kept confined to puppy mills for breeding purposes tend to face the brunt of the operation, often dying at early ages due to lack of care.

Many pet owners adopt dogs and cats without knowledge of where they were born or under what conditions. In doing so, they face years of potentially avoidable pet health issues.

Puppy mills: quick facts

• Puppy mills are not illegal, but some countries (like Australia and the United Kingdom) have passed stricter regulations regarding veterinary requirements for breeders and where puppies and kittens can be sold.
• The United States has an estimated 10,000 puppy mills in operation, both licensed with the USDA and not.*
• For every one USDA-licensed facility, there are an estimated two unlicensed facilities.*
• Less than 3,000 of these puppy mills are regulated or licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).*
• 202,007 dogs are kept solely for breeding purposes in USDA-licensed facilities.*
• 2.2 million puppies sold annually in the United States are estimated to come from puppy mills.*
• 1.5 million pets are euthanized by animal shelters in the United States every year.

*Statistics come from the Humane World for Animals  2025 “Puppy Mills: Facts and Figures” report

What are the signs of a puppy mill?

The signs of a puppy mill can be tricky to identify. After all, puppy mill pets are sold through both pet stores (including major chains) and breeders. But aside from actively looking for bad breeding and puppy-rearing conditions, there are some indicators to look out for during the pet adoption process. Here are seven signs of a puppy mill to watch for.

1. The pet is very young

Yes, we all love little, cute puppies and kittens. But there is such a thing as animals being too young to be away from their mothers just yet. If the puppy or kitten is less than 8 weeks old (recommended minimum age of separation is between 8 and 12 weeks), they could be the result of a puppy mill.

2. Lack of health or background information

No matter where your pet comes from, the people who sold them to you should be able to provide as much information as possible regarding background and pedigree. They will also provide a vaccination and health screening report.

3. Unfriendly pet behavior

Puppies and kittens that were ethically bred tend to be well-socialized and amiable with both humans and other dogs (though it should be noted that kittens can be more shy at first). Extremely shy or outright aggressive behavior could indicate one that has spent their early life in a puppy mill. Rescue pets may act this way as well, but the shelter will be able to provide more background.

4. Pricing seems too good to be true

The people involved with puppy mills are typically just looking for a quick sale. If the pricing is low compared to other breeders or shelters in the area or you notice little-to-no paperwork is involved, it could be the work of a puppy mill. It’s worth noting that ethical dog and cat sales will typically involve a background check for prospective pet owners. But for a better perspective, it helps to understand that some breeds are naturally more expensive.

5. The puppy comes from another state

Many pets in shelters are transferred from overcrowded shelters elsewhere. But if you’re going through a breeder or a pet store that says their dogs and cats are from another state, it might be because they were shipped in from a puppy mill. This isn't necessarily a red flag as some do operate this way, but it is an indicator to pay closer attention and ask questions about their origins.

6. The breeder will not allow you to visit

Ethical cat and dog breeders will usually permit prospective pet parents to visit the premises, sometimes multiple times to get to know the pets and where they come from. If a breeder requests bringing the puppy or kitten to you or meeting elsewhere, it could be because they don’t want you to see the conditions their animals are kept in.

7. Something just doesn’t feel right during the process

Not all of these signs automatically mean you are looking at a puppy mill. But if you are noticing some things that don’t quite sit right with you, it might be best to go elsewhere. At the end of the day, you should trust your gut.

All pets’ health is worth protecting

Whether your best friend came from a puppy mill or not, there’s no telling what kinds of illnesses or injuries could pop up in their lifetime. Fortunately, a good pet insurance policy can help protect him from the unexpected. Learn more about how pet insurance can be an essential part of your furry friend's healthcare today!