By taking action on any one of the suggestions below, you can help stop the cruel treatment of dogs in puppy mills.

• · Don't support puppy mills. Puppy mill dogs are sold even in the swankiest of pet stores and through the most picturesque of web sites. The truth is, unless you personally visit the place where your dog is born and raised, you have no real way of knowing whether you're supporting a puppy mill. Puppy millers have devised slick new methods for hiding their cruel businesses. They regularly place newspaper ads that hawk one specific breed(instead of the old approach of exclaiming, "We have over 20 different breeds!") to fool consumers into thinking the mill is actually a small operation. Rule No.1 is always: Never buy a puppy without personally visiting the breeder's premises. Read our "Five Easy Steps to Avoid a Puppy Mill" for more information.
• · Write your legislators. Contact your Senators and Representative and let them know that the inhumane treatment of dogs in puppy mills is a concern of yours, urge them to do something about it. Current regulations do not ensure humane treatment and dogs and consumers suffer for it. Let them know that you want puppy mills to be a priority for Congress, because they're a priority for you.
• · Educate others. What's the most common response we hear when people find out that their animal came from a puppy mill? "I had no idea." That's why this action is so vital. There's no greater tool than education. Tell others about this web site. Order copies of our flyers and distribute them. Be creative in your education campaign. Talk to your groomer. Talk to your veterinarian. Even talk to your pet supply store owner.
• · Write a letter to the editor of your local paper. Use the information contained on these pages to write a letter to your local newspaper — a short, polite letter to inform people about the dog industry's dirty secret.
  —click here for Microsoft Word version
• · Talk to reputable breeders. The trick to finding a good breeder is knowing the right questions to ask — and walking away if you don't get the right answers. Our checklist will help you. You can also ask any breeder you know for help. After all, a small, reputable breeder hates puppy mills just as much as you do.
• · Recruit your veterinarian. Veterinary offices are logical places to go when looking for information on adoption or animal breeders. So supply your vet's office with the flyers available from The HSUS. A vet should be your dog's second-best friend — ask them to help you help dogs.
• · Donate. You can help The HSUS in our ongoing campaign to stop puppy mills and protect all animals. Please make a donation today.