MISSOURI — The Humane World for Animals, formerly known as the Humane Society of the United States, released a list of 100 “problem” puppy mills and sellers, including 26 in Missouri, once again noting the state as the worst in the country.
According to the Humane World for Animals, the report defines a puppy mill as “an inhumane breeding facility where puppies are churned out for the pet trade” and where dogs “live continually in cages with little regard for their health and quality of life.”
The report is published annually with the intention of warning customers about puppy mills and with the hope of promoting enhanced laws and stronger humane law enforcement.
The Humane World for Animals stated that for the 13th year in a row, Missouri has the highest number of dealers in the report. The state is followed by Ohio with 16 breeders reported, Iowa with 12, and New York and Pennsylvania with 11 each.
Each Missouri breeder was listed by name with accounts of the alleged inhumane breeding, neglect, and poor treatment of various animals on the breeder’s property.
According to the report, since their last publication in 2024, at least a dozen puppy mills that had appeared in that report had closed, were taken to court, or were fined.