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. 
Dog Watch
Dog Watch
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Some said that made Aurora the puppy mill sales capital of Illinois. Steve Lord, chicagotribune.com, 10 Oct. 2021 Moreno said breeders who refuse that request may run a puppy mill — a breeding facility that focuses on quick breeding and often neglects the care or condition of the animals. Antonio Arredondo, oregonlive, 5 Aug. 2022 Many beagles perished before inspectors realized just how bad this puppy mill was. Devin Murphy, National Review, 28 July 2022 Authorities believe they are connected to the operator of a Modesto puppy mill. Christopher Goffardstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2022 A year later, Collins got a call from a district attorney in Kentucky: 120 dogs had come out of a puppy mill in Morehead in deplorable condition. Paul Solotaroff, Rolling Stone, 4 July 2022 Most of our dogs at Golden Treasures Golden Retriever Rescue now come from the Amish puppy mill trade. cleveland, 2 June 2022 Springfield: The state has retained a dubious distinction for the 10th time, topping the Humane Society’s list of the worst puppy mill problem. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 17 May 2022 Elizabeth Oreck, the national manager of puppy mill initiatives for Best Friends Animal Society, told the council that puppy and kitten mills are in business to supply pet stores. Alexandra Kukulka, chicagotribune.com, 5 Nov. 2021 See More
Steve Lord, chicagotribune.com, 10 Oct. 2021 Moreno said breeders who refuse that request may run a puppy mill — a breeding facility that focuses on quick breeding and often neglects the care or condition of the animals. Antonio Arredondo, oregonlive, 5 Aug. 2022 Many beagles perished before inspectors realized just how bad this puppy mill was. Devin Murphy, National Review, 28 July 2022 Authorities believe they are connected to the operator of a Modesto puppy mill. Christopher Goffardstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2022 A year later, Collins got a call from a district attorney in Kentucky: 120 dogs had come out of a puppy mill in Morehead in deplorable condition. Paul Solotaroff, Rolling Stone, 4 July 2022 Most of our dogs at Golden Treasures Golden Retriever Rescue now come from the Amish puppy mill trade. cleveland, 2 June 2022 Springfield: The state has retained a dubious distinction for the 10th time, topping the Humane Society’s list of the worst puppy mill problem. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 17 May 2022 Elizabeth Oreck, the national manager of puppy mill initiatives for Best Friends Animal Society, told the council that puppy and kitten mills are in business to supply pet stores. Alexandra Kukulka, chicagotribune.com, 5 Nov. 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
1953, in the meaning defined above