Puppy mill

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A puppy mill, also known as a puppy farm, is a commercial dog breeding facility characterized by quick breeding and poor conditions.^[1] Although no standardized legal definition for "puppy mill" exists, a definition was established in Avenson v. Zegart in 1984 as "a dog breeding operation in which the health of the mill’s dogs is disregarded to maintain a low overhead and maximize profits".^[2] They are cited as being a result of increased demand for household pets,^[3] especially after World War II.^[4] The Veterinary Medical Association of the Humane Society of the United States defines the main characteristics of a puppy mill as "emphasis on quantity over quality, indiscriminate breeding, continuous confinement, lack of human contact and environmental enrichment, poor husbandry, and minimal to no veterinary care."^[5]

There are an estimated 10,000 licensed and unlicensed puppy mills in the United States, in total selling more than 2,000,000 puppies annually.^[6]

The term "mill" is also applied to operations involving other animals bred for profit, including cats.^[7] For-profit breeding on a smaller scale may be referred to as backyard breeding, although this term may also refer to unplanned or non-commercial breeding. Like "mill", it has negative connotations.

The United States Department of Agriculture oversees regulations pertaining to the commercial dog industry. The regulations are similar to those in the livestock industry.^[8]

Puppy mills have been found to negatively affect dogs' mental health as many develop psychological scars, phobias, fears and compulsive behaviors.^{[9][better source needed]}