Puppy mills are volume breeders of puppies that are then usually sold in the commercial trade to dealers, research labs, brokers or pet stores. This term does not apply to small, private breeders who sell exclusively to the public in small numbers.
Because these enterprises exist exclusively for financial purposes, animal care is generally sacrificed for profit. USDA regulations themselves promote a mass-production mindset rather than quality. For example, USDA regulations only require six inches of headroom over an animals head in its cage, which only needs to be cleaned of urine and feces once per day.
Worse yet, many puppy mills do not even meet the USDA's minimal standards. The USDA rarely, if ever, takes enforcement action against violators. There is, therefore, little incentive for puppy mills to comply with USDA regulations.
Use the resources on this page to learn more about puppy mills, and what you can do to put a stop to these awful places.
Action Needed: Minnesota Puppy Mill Bill Dead - New Version Should be, too. You Can Help.
Featured Article: More Information Links AKC to Puppy Mills. Check it Out.
URGENT ACTION NEEDED:
Ask Morrison County to Refuse Gary McDuffee a New Permit for Puppy Mill.
Photo: This building on Gary McDuffee's property already houses hundreds of dogs and puppies.
In January of 2006 the Morrison County Board granted a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to Gary McDuffee to operate a 600-dog puppy mill in Belle Prairie, Minnesota, igniting a national firestorm of controversy and litigation. Neighbors to the property have contended that the County did not follow Minnesota law when they granted the permit, without completing a required Environmental Assessment Worksheet. Find Out More.
According to AKC, Animals are Property, so Puppy Mills Shouldn't be Regulated - Transcript of Animal Wise Radio interview with Lisa Peterson, Communications Director of AKC about Senate File 121. Check it Out.
Urgent Action Needed: "Puppy Mill" Legislation Needs Your Support. Find Out More.
Featured Video: Dirtly Little Secret: Click the play putton on the video to watch it, or click here to play it at YouTube. Or, you may listen to the audio version here.
Click on the video to learn how you can share it with others.

Billboard Campaign Casts Light on Minnesota Puppy Mills
Little Falls, Minnesota - A new billboard campaign is being launched this month to call attention to puppy mills in Minnesota. On September 25 a new billboard will grace highway 10, near Little Falls, in Morrison County, an area many consider the center of puppy mill activity in the state. Other billboards will be added as funds become available.
The new billboard, which is sponsored by the Minnesota Humane Society, declares Minnesota to be the "land of 10,000 puppy prisoners". Find our More.
Maggie, Animal Ark's Latest Puppy Mill Rescue, Needs Your Help
Her eyes are discolored from an eye infection. She gasps for breath due to a respiratory infection. Her feet are red and swollen from walking on the sharp wire floor of her cage. Her legs have not fully formed, probably from an inability to use them during some of her primary growing months. She is Animal Ark's latest puppy mill rescue case. Her name is Maggie, and she has stolen our hearts. Though she has clearly received no training or socialization in her short life, she seems to understand the new people in her life are helping her, and that her life has taken a sudden turn for the better.
Maggie was rescued from a large puppy mill near Little Falls by a kind person. Her condition is unfortunately common for animals rescued from large, animal factories. Animal Ark needs your support to help Maggie, and other animals like her. Please sponsor Maggie today. Your support will help pay for her medical care, rehabilitation, and also help us to fight puppy mills in our state. Thanks in advance for your kindness! Read More.
A Plea for Help! Your Donations Badly Needed to Help Put A Stop to Puppy Mills. Please Donate Today!
The photograph taken left is a small dog in a small pen filled with other dogs at a puppy mill in Minnesota. The photo was provided by the Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS). There are currently tens of thousands of dogs housed in puppy factories in Minnesota. Animal Ark is working with other groups to put a stop to the mass, commercial production of dogs. These animals need your help. Please make a donation to support our efforts. If you would prefer, mail a check to:
Animal Ark
809 E. 7th Street
St. Paul, MN 55106
Please indicate your donations is to help put a stop to puppy mills.
Featured Editorial: Mike Fry asks, is the USDA incompetent, corrupt, or, possibly, both? Read it.
Animal Welfare Groups Applaud New Regulations for Dog Kennels
Tighter regulations are a major advancement toward putting a stop to puppy mills in Minnesota
ELK RIVER, Minn. - Citing the ongoing legal battle in Little Falls over a large, dog breeding facility, Sherburne County adopted new kennel regulations in August. Other counties in Minnesota are already considering following Sherburne's example.
Sherburne's new ordinance requires anyone with four or more dogs older than 6 months of age to get a license, and to submit to annual inspections. Read More.
Morrison County Puppy Mill Legal Fight Update. Check it Out.
Since the last update on the Morrison County Puppy Mill case, quite a lot has happened, most notably, the USDA has granted Gary McDuffee, (a.k.a "Waggin Tails Kennel" at 1805 Riverview Drive in Little Falls, Minnesota) a license to begin selling puppies at his facility.
At the same time, the legal fight has moved forward, with papers having been filed with two courts relating to this puppy mill.
Who Runs the Animal Mills in Minnesota? Ever since Gary McDuffee made headlines all over the state for his attempts to open a 600-dog, commercial breeding facility, people have been asking who runs these places. Want to know who? Find Out.
"Minimum Standards". What Do They Mean?
Featured Article: County Should Rescind Land-Use Permit. Find Out Why.
USDA Files Show Little Falls Puppy Mill Violations. Find Out More.
Featured Article: Stepping Up Against Animal Mills.
Minnesota and National Groups Working Together to Fight Puppy Mill. Find Out More.
Animal Ark Launches New Program to Fight Puppy Mills. You Can Help.
Photos from Minnesota Puppy Mills
Message from Darlene Larson of ASPCA: On Puppy Mill, Your Voice is Needed. Learn What You Can Do.
Comment: Important Information Missing from Puppy Mill News Coverage. Read it.
Sign a Petition asking Morrision County commissioners to rethink their decision to allow a puppy mill to open in Belle Prairie, Minnesota.
Donate to Animal Ark's Efforts to Put A Stop to Puppy Mills.
Who Runs the Animal Mills in Minnesota? Ever since Gary McDuffee made headlines all over the state for his attempts to open a 600-dog, commercial breeding facility, people have been asking who runs these places. Want to know who? Find Out.
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How You Can Help:
Donate to the Effort
Email this to Your Friends and Family
Get Involved:
Check out the Puppy Mill Community at Best Friend's Network.
New: How much room does a puppy mill dog need, according to the USDA? Check out our puppy mill cage size calulator to find out. |