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.—
Dog Watch
Dog WatchExamples of puppy mill in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Dozens of dogs died during a fire at an Ohio puppy mill, several outlets reported.
—Sarah Al-Arshani, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024
Indiana General Assembly:Controversial 'puppy mill' bill passes Indiana House
Animals available for adoption can be found by going to the Petfinder or Adopt-A-Pet page.
—Marina Johnson, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Feb. 2024
The Beagle Freedom Project is a nonprofit focused on the rescue and rehabilitation of animals from laboratories, puppy mills, the international meat trade and the entertainment industry.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Kansas City Star, 16 Feb. 2024
The danger comes when a corporate special interest is the force driving that preemption (like when the puppy mill industry lobbied the legislature to overturn Tempe’s pet store regulations).
—Sam Kmack, The Arizona Republic, 10 Feb. 2024
Authorities suspect the property operated as a puppy mill, per the release.
—Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 7 Feb. 2024
Animal rights activists argue that breeding dogs and adding breeds can lead to puppy mills and reduce pet adoptions, while worsening canine health due to a shallow gene pool.
—Ben Brasch, Washington Post, 3 Jan. 2024
The Lake County Sheriff’s Department evacuated more than 40 dogs Thursday from a Crown Point property on the suspicion of a puppy mill operation.
—Carrie Napoleon, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2023
While puppy mills may be common in other parts of the state, the operations are rarer in more urbanized areas.
—Carrie Napoleon, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2023
Sarah Al-Arshani, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024
Indiana General Assembly:Controversial 'puppy mill' bill passes Indiana House
Animals available for adoption can be found by going to the Petfinder or Adopt-A-Pet page.
—Marina Johnson, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Feb. 2024
The Beagle Freedom Project is a nonprofit focused on the rescue and rehabilitation of animals from laboratories, puppy mills, the international meat trade and the entertainment industry.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Kansas City Star, 16 Feb. 2024
The danger comes when a corporate special interest is the force driving that preemption (like when the puppy mill industry lobbied the legislature to overturn Tempe’s pet store regulations).
—Sam Kmack, The Arizona Republic, 10 Feb. 2024
Authorities suspect the property operated as a puppy mill, per the release.
—Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 7 Feb. 2024
Animal rights activists argue that breeding dogs and adding breeds can lead to puppy mills and reduce pet adoptions, while worsening canine health due to a shallow gene pool.
—Ben Brasch, Washington Post, 3 Jan. 2024
The Lake County Sheriff’s Department evacuated more than 40 dogs Thursday from a Crown Point property on the suspicion of a puppy mill operation.
—Carrie Napoleon, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2023
While puppy mills may be common in other parts of the state, the operations are rarer in more urbanized areas.
—Carrie Napoleon, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'puppy mill.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Puppy mill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puppy%20mill. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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