puppy mill
noun
: a commercial farming operation in which purebred dogs are raised in large numbers and often in substandard or poor conditions
Currently, hundreds of thousands of dogs languish in puppy mills, large commercial breeding operations that supply most pet stores across the United States and contribute heavily to the pet overpopulation problem.—
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There are 10,000 puppy mills estimated to be currently active in the United States, according to Humane World for Animals.
—Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2026
Polis said 26 jurisdictions in Colorado have banned puppy mill sales in retail stores.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 29 Apr. 2026
Importation records reveal Illinois animal rescues are acquiring puppies from dog breeders or even puppy mills.
—Chicago Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
Where to adopt your new puppy National Puppy Day was partly started to bring attention to the unethical practices of puppy mills.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for puppy mill
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Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2026
Polis said 26 jurisdictions in Colorado have banned puppy mill sales in retail stores.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 29 Apr. 2026
Importation records reveal Illinois animal rescues are acquiring puppies from dog breeders or even puppy mills.
—Chicago Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
Where to adopt your new puppy National Puppy Day was partly started to bring attention to the unethical practices of puppy mills.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for puppy mill
Cite this Entry
“Puppy mill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puppy%20mill. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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