If puppies don’t sell, what happens to them depends on the breeder, pet store, or rescue organization responsible for them. While ethical breeders and rescues make sure that unsold puppies still find loving homes, others may not have such responsible practices.

Here’s what can happen…

Ethical Breeders

Reputable breeders typically prioritize the health and well-being of their puppies over profits. If puppies don’t sell…

• They keep the puppies until a suitable home is found, even if it takes longer.
• They may reduce the price or offer discounts to encourage adoption.
• Some breeders keep unsold puppies as pets or train them to become show or working dogs.
• Puppies may be re-homed to friends or family.

Good breeders usually care deeply about where their puppies go and may not mass-produce litter to avoid excess puppies.

Rescue Organizations and Shelters

Rescue groups and shelters work hard to find homes for all puppies, but if puppies are not adopted…

• They might hold adoption events or promote the puppies through social media to increase visibility.
• Some may transfer puppies to other shelters with more space or higher adoption demand.
• In no-kill shelters, the puppies will stay in the shelter until adopted. However, in some cases, older puppies may struggle to compete with younger ones for adopters.

If space becomes an issue, shelters might place unsold puppies in foster homes until they find permanent families.

Pet Stores

Pet stores often work with breeders or suppliers, and if puppies don’t sell:

• Some stores will discount the puppies to encourage a quick sale.
• Others may send the puppies back to the breeder or supplier if they have a return agreement.
• In worse scenarios, stores may cut corners by selling the puppy to a puppy mill or less ethical buyer.

Thankfully, many regions now have laws restricting the sale of puppies in pet stores to discourage unethical practices and promote adoption.

Puppy Mills and Backyard Breeders

Unsold puppies from puppy mills or backyard breeders face a sadder fate:

• They may be euthanized if the breeder views them as unprofitable.
• Some are abandoned or surrendered to shelters, where they may end up in an overcrowded system.
• Other times, they are sold at extremely low prices or given away without proper care, ending up in unsafe homes.

This is one reason why it’s important to avoid supporting puppy mills by only adopting from ethical breeders or rescues.

Older Puppies Become Harder to Sell

• As puppies get older (past 12–16 weeks), they become less desirable to some buyers, who prefer young puppies.
• However, older puppies can still make wonderful pets, as they are often easier to train and may already have started socialization and basic house training.

How to Help Unsold Puppies

• Adopt from a shelter or rescue instead of buying from a store or breeder.
• If you’re set on a specific breed, look for breed-specific rescue organizations.
• Support breeders who prioritize health and well-being, not profit, by asking about their policies for unsold puppies.

What happens to unsold puppies depends largely on the ethics of the breeder or seller. While responsible breeders and shelters ensure that every puppy finds a home, puppy mills and unethical sellers may take drastic measures to avoid losses. Choosing to adopt from a rescue or buying from a responsible breeder helps promote better practices in the pet industry.