Here are some puppy mill faq's:

Puppy mills do really exist. Go to the IMOM web site to read first person accounts of puppy mills and puppy mill brokers - but be prepared. The content is graphic and disturbing. For more information, you can also visit Pawprints & Purs, Inc.'s web site.

The difference between a puppy mill operator and a breeder is that reputable breeders care about the health & well being of the animals. Puppy mill operators care only about making money. Reputable breeders never sell their puppies to pet stores. Puppy mill operators will sell to anyone with cash.

Nine out of ten puppies sold in pet stores come from puppy mills.

You can ask the pet store staff for registration paper to see if the puppy is from a mill. The place of birth should be listed and chances are it will not be a local address. If you're not allowed to see the registration papers or are given excuses, the puppy is most likely from a mill.

If you do buy a puppy from a pet store that comes from mill, that puppy will be replaced by another one, on and on until the puppy mills close or are shut down. The puppy you buy may be sick and prone to painful and expensive hereditary health problems.

You can buy a healthy puppy at the Humane Society or ASPCA. You can also get the names of reputable breeders in your area from other dog owners or breed organizations.

You can help shut down puppy mills by boycotting pet stores that sell live animals. You can ask legislators to create effective, enforceable animal cruelty laws. For more information on how to help, go to Dog Owner's Guide and Critter Haven. You can also join a discussion forum about puppy mills at No Puppy Mills.

If you would like to donate to a non-profit organization saving animals from puppy mills click on Puppy Mills Rescue.

For more general information about puppy mills go to Pet Mills: An American Disgrace