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ASPCA
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Bikers Against Animal Cruelty
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Humane Society of the United States
New Jersey Consumers Against Pet Shop Abuse
News on the Pet Trade
Oprah's Puppy Mill Probe
Petfinder
PetShopPuppies.org
SPCA of Connecticut

Download Informational Flyer
Missouri Audit on Commercial Breeders



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Pet stores say: "Our puppies come from breeders, not puppy mills."

Understand that the word "breeder" is not an exclusive term. Anyone who puts two dogs together and produces puppies is, technically, a breeder. So don't assume that a puppy from a "breeder" did not come from a puppy mill. A responsible breeder would not sell puppies to a pet store; they would want to meet you in person.

Stop Puppy Mills


find your dream dog without going near a pet store!

Before you even consider buying a puppy from pet store, consider the words of a respected Fairfield County veterinarian:

Dr. Michele Lamothe, a veterinarian with 18 years experience, said she was saddened by the number of sick, dying and defective puppies she sees that are purchased in local pet stores.

“There are problems inherent in the pet store system. The only way to obtain a steady supply of puppies is through mass breeding operations, which often results in parasites and infectious diseases: the consequence of any mass animal operation be it livestock or puppies,” Dr. Lamothe said.

She said the combination of immature immune systems, the stress of traveling long distances, crowding and over-vaccinated animals inevitably led to puppies becoming “gravely ill” or even dying.

Adopt from a shelter

In addition to the loveable mutts at shelters, there also a HUGE number of purebred dogs available on a regular basis.

Connecticut Animal Shelters - Full Listing

So you want a particular breed? No problem

There is a breed rescue group for almost every breed of dog. They have a steady flow of purebred dogs of all ages and are meticulous in providing health care and assessing prospective owners. They're looking for a perfect fit between the breed and the home environment. They take everything into account from whether there are other pets to how much time you'll have to spend with them. The contacts below can help put you in contact with someone in your area.

Attention Breed Rescue Groups: Please send us any updates of your contact details.

Stop Puppy Mills



Puppies of Westport is just one of thousands of pet stores in America that contribute to the cycle of puppy mills. Puppies of Westport sells dogs that come mostly from Missouri and surrounding states. The parents of the puppies spend their lives in cages until they can no longer be bred. Our group has paperwork confirming the rough and unsanitary conditions these dogs are kept in. The owners of Puppies of Westport claim the dogs they sell do not come from puppy mills. However, the paperwork that has been gathered shows the puppies come from large, commercial breeders that supply pet stores and puppy brokers across America. Pet stores are selling trendy, designer breed puppies that are taken from their mothers at an early age and loaded onto trucks to be distributed to stores. Puppies of Westport is an outlet for breeders who treat the dogs as a cash crop.