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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Is there a more direct way to close down puppy mills using anti-abuse or breeder licensure laws?
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 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
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
See All Example Sentences for puppy mill
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Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 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
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
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 31 Mar. 2026.
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