Puppy Mill Awareness Day

Puppy Mill Awareness Day is dedicated to raising awareness about the harsh conditions in which dogs are kept at puppy mills. Celebrated every third Saturday in September, this day encourages people to understand the reality behind these breeding operations and take action against them.

History

Many dog lovers are unaware of the true conditions at puppy mills. These facilities are created solely to breed and sell as many puppies as possible. Dogs are rarely socialized, played with, or walked. Most live in cramped cages, often stacked on top of each other, or are kept in small pens.

Puppy mills became popular after World War II. Some people left their homes in search of a better life, while others settled with families in larger houses with yards and dogs. Owning a purebred dog became a symbol of status, leading to increased demand for puppies. Puppy mills emerged to meet this demand, with puppies bred in large numbers and quickly sold. Even the USDA supported this business model at one point. Many struggling farmers turned to puppy mills as a source of income, and by the mid-1960s, it was commonly believed that every household should have a dog.

Today, over 10,000 puppy mills are registered in the United States, housing around 170,000 breeding dogs. Their sole purpose is to produce puppies for sale, with up to 2 million puppies sold each year.

How to Take Part

The main goal of Puppy Mill Awareness Day is to inform people about the cruel conditions these dogs endure. Do not purchase puppies from such facilities or support this business in any way.

1. Never give your puppies to puppy mills. If you need to rehome a puppy, do it yourself. Create online ads and encourage others to avoid puppy mills—show by example that this business should be eradicated.
2. Buy puppies only from reputable, responsible sources. Be cautious with online purchases, as most puppy mills sell their “live goods” over the internet.
3. Organize or support fundraising events for dogs without owners and for organizations that rescue and rehome dogs from puppy mills.

When is Puppy Mill Awareness Day in 2025?

Puppy Mill Awareness Day is observed on the third Saturday of September each year.

Observations