To avoid buying from a puppy mill, watch out for these key red flags…
Refuses Facility Visits
- Puppy mills hide poor conditions. Ethical breeders will let you tour their facility and meet the puppy’s parents.
Too Many Puppies Available
- Puppy mills often have multiple litters at once. Reputable breeders usually have limited litters and may have a waiting list.
Poor Living Conditions
- Dirty, overcrowded cages or pens with little space or cleanliness signal a puppy mill. Puppies should be in clean, spacious environments.
No Health Testing or Documentation
- Ethical breeders perform health tests on breeding dogs and offer health guarantees. Puppy mills skip this, leading to potential health problems.
No Socialization or Fearful Puppies
- Puppies from mills are often poorly socialized, fearful, or aggressive. A responsible breeder ensures early positive human interaction.
No Return Policy or Contract
- A legitimate breeder offers a contract with health guarantees and a return policy. Puppy mills don’t provide this support.
Unwilling to Answer Questions
- Ethical breeders are knowledgeable about the breed and ask about your home environment. Puppy mills are more interested in selling than ensuring a good match.
Misrepresentation of Breed or Lineage
- If the breeder doesn’t provide papers or misrepresents the puppy’s breed, it’s a red flag. Puppy mills may claim purebred status without proper documentation.
Unreasonably Low Prices
- Very low prices can indicate poor breeding practices. Puppies from responsible breeders typically cost more due to proper care and health screenings.
By looking for these signs and asking the right questions, you can avoid supporting puppy mills and find a reputable breeder.
