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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In August 2025, more than 100 dogs and puppies were rescued from a puppy mill in Harford County with the help of the Humane World for Animals.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
The bill also aims to rein in puppy mills, Gaetz said.
—Ana Goñi-Lessan, Sun Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2026
An Iowa Senate bill that would limit state regulators’ oversight of puppy mills and dog breeders is facing stiff opposition from animal advocacy groups.
—Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 12 Feb. 2026
People don’t know about puppy mills.
—Kate Aurthur, Variety, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for puppy mill
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Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
The bill also aims to rein in puppy mills, Gaetz said.
—Ana Goñi-Lessan, Sun Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2026
An Iowa Senate bill that would limit state regulators’ oversight of puppy mills and dog breeders is facing stiff opposition from animal advocacy groups.
—Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 12 Feb. 2026
People don’t know about puppy mills.
—Kate Aurthur, Variety, 8 Feb. 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 11 Mar. 2026.
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