Despite some positive progress in legislation, puppy mills are still a big source of cruelty and neglect,
a fact that is all too real for thousands of dogs across the United States. The ASPCA’s recent poll
revealed that the most important issue for supporters in 2025 is fighting for stronger legislation to
protect puppy mill victims. Large-scale commercial breeding operations continue to operate under
outdated and inadequate regulations. People are beginning to wake up to the fact that this cruelty is
still legally sanctioned, but we are a long way from liberating dogs from puppy mills.

Puppy mills are notorious for their appalling conditions, with many dogs confined to tiny, wire cages
barely large enough for them to turn around. These facilities, which are regulated by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA), often fail to meet even the most basic welfare standards. Female
dogs are bred relentlessly, producing litter after litter without adequate time for rest and recovery.
Even with laws on the books, these standards are rarely enforced, and commercial breeders that
neglect their animals continue to operate unchecked.

Even the lucky ones who are adopted and rescued from lives of forced breeding have stories of
trauma, their bodies ageing faster than is normal for a well-cared-for dog. Read about the story of
Gracie, a dog who was rescued after 6 years of breeding 100 puppies:
https://www.humaneworld.org/en/blog/mama-dogs-story-why-we-do-work-we-do-stop-puppy-
mills

There have been recent wins, including the passing of the New York Puppy Mill Pipeline Act in
December 2024. This New York legislation bans the sale of cruelly bred pets in retail stores. The
ASPCA report outlines a commitment to building on this momentum by pushing for similar
legislation in other states in 2025. The ASPCA also advocate for Goldie’s Act, a bill that would require
the USDA to enforce stronger oversight of federally licensed facilities, ensuring more frequent
inspections, intervention for animals in need, and better coordination with local law enforcement.
The road to eliminating puppy mills is long, but with continued advocacy, we can reduce the
suffering of countless animals. The fight is far from over, and it’s imperative that we keep working
together to ensure that no dog ever has to endure the horrors of a puppy mill again.

Please read more on the ASPCA Website: https://www.aspca.org/news/poll-results-revealed-which- animal-welfare-initiative-was-voted-most-important-aspca-supporters

For more information about our work at Freedom 4 Animals to educate the public and push for
animal freedom, please click to read: https://www.freedom4animals.com/the-empathy- program/

Good news: the USDA listened to activists who urged them not to implement a disastrous plan to allow labs to regulate themselves on animal welfare. The USDA had proposed allowing the AAALAC (Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International) to police the Animal Welfare Act in labs. This “third party” is a private organization with council-members from the very facilities the organization is accrediting. The AAALC would have kept their findings private.

Organizing for Animals Helped Prevent this Disaster

Amongst other things, the USDA was swayed by a vast majority of public comments opposing the project. Recently, many changes by government agencies that would affect animals and the environment have been deliberately slipped under the radar or unaccompanied by a press release. Reports have been redacted or removed from the USDA website. When activists pushed back they kept the accreditation changes in the public eye and kept the heat on public officials, forcing them to reconsider. Victories like these shows that battles can be won. There are so many animals at risk of abuse, mistreatment and death. And, unbelievable as it may seem, sometimes the power to help animals lies in the hands of a few. That’s why it’s important to organize for animals. Donations, actions and staying informed make a difference.

More from the Washington Post on this story: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/animalia/wp/2018/05/17/usda-may-warn-some-facilities-when-animal-welfare-inspectors-are-coming/?utm_term=.cdb79dd431c9