How Do I Adopt a Rescued Puppy Mill Dog?

A puppy mill is a large-scale commercial dog breeding facility. The dogs are usually bred for sale in pet stores. Puppy mills have developed a bad reputation because of repeated instances of neglect and mistreatment of their animals. Dogs from puppy mills are usually kept in filthy, cramped conditions. They receive no medical care or human attention. If a dog isn't sold, it is either put down or used for breeding until it dies.

  1. Finding Rescued Dogs

    • If you want to adopt a dog rescued from a puppy mill, contact your local humane society or animal shelter. These often care for dogs that were confiscated when a puppy mill went out of business or was shut down. Even if there aren't any puppy mills in your area, animal shelters often receive animals from other states if they have extra space or no-kill policies. Pay attention to news reports of puppy mills being raided in your state, or about shipments of puppy mill rescue dogs to your local humane society. Contact the news agency for information on where to adopt rescued animals.

      If your local animal shelter doesn't have any puppy mill rescue animals, they should be able to direct you to shelters that do have them or to other organizations that specialize in puppy mill rescue dogs. Some of these organizations even focus their efforts on saving a certain type of dog, such as toy breeds or cocker spaniels.

    Choosing a Dog

    • In general, a rescued puppy mill dog will be a high-maintenance pet. Caring for the dog will be more involved if the dog is older and has spent most of its life in the breeding facility, but even small puppies can have serious health problems or genetic disorders from excessive inbreeding.

      Choose your dog carefully to make sure it will fit with your family. Find out about the dog's temperament and if it has problems with biting. You should also get information about the animal's state of health and if it has any chronic illnesses. Rescue facilities usually have information about the conditions the dog was found in, which can help you understand the needs of the dog you want to adopt.

    Adopting a Dog

    • Many animal shelters and dog rescue organizations want to meet and spend time with the people who are adopting their animals so they can make sure your home and living space are appropriate for the dog you want. They might even interview you to find out if you're the kind of person who has the time and patience needed to rehabilitate a puppy mill dog. Home renters often have to show rental contracts for proof that dogs are allowed in their homes, and home visits may also be required. Most facilities require a fee or tax deductible donation to help cover neutering or any other medical treatment the dog received.