No Pet Store Puppies Day, observed every July 21, shines a light on the cruel realities of puppy mills and their connection to pet stores. This day urges prospective pet parents to choose adoption from local shelters and rescues. You can also support responsible breeders, educate others about ethical pet sourcing, and advocate for stronger animal welfare laws.
History of No Pet Store Puppies Day
Crop failures in the Midwest following World War II prompted the rise of puppy mills. Although it may be difficult to believe today, the United States Department of Agriculture (U.S.D.A.) actively promoted puppy mills as profitable and fail-safe companies. The government encouraged farmers to pack dogs into chicken coops and rabbit hutches and sell puppies to pet stores.
According to the U.S.D.A., there are currently between 2,000 and 3,000 federally registered commercial breeding facilities in the United States, with approximately 1,045 of them in Missouri (645), Iowa (237), and Kansas (178). There are around 10,000 puppy mill breeders, according to the USDA. However, due to their smaller scale, most of these breeders are not properly regulated or are not required to be licensed. Because the U.S.D.A. does not track these breeders, determining the number of puppy mills in the United States is nearly impossible.
It’s also difficult to determine how many dogs live in puppy mills since some breeders aren’t allowed to keep precise records, or if the breeder is illegal, they won’t keep records on purpose. Each year, approximately 1,075,896 puppies are born in U.S.D.A.-licensed facilities, with about 176,088 canines kept for breeding, according to the Humane Society of the United States (H.S.U.S.). The H.S.U.S. also estimates that 2.15 million puppies are sold each year. Unfortunately, the U.S.D.A. has no control over the internet, where many of these puppies are sold.
It’s heartbreaking to think that hundreds of thousands of dogs spend their entire lives in small, dingy, overcrowded cages, without even the most basic veterinary care.
No Pet Store Puppies Day timeline
Puppy mills rise as a problem because of crop issues in the Midwest following WWII.
Puppy mills, pet stores, local veterinary clinics, and suburban homes with multiple children all contribute to a supply and demand cycle that peaks in the prosperous 1990s.
Organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States investigate breeding kennels, which leads to the passage of the Animal Welfare Act on August 24.
A broadcast on puppy mills aired on M.S.N.B.C., in which talk show star Oprah Winfrey shows an industry riddled with difficulties and apparent brutality.
No Pet Store Puppies Day FAQs
No Pet Store Puppies Day Activities
Do your research before adopting
Do your research before making a purchase, and always meet the parent dogs where they live to ensure you’re not supporting a puppy mill. Better yet, adopt your next best buddy from one of your local shelters or rescues!
Educate your loved ones
Inform people about how and why certain pets in pet stores are not being cared for. Involve your family members in the cause.
Share it on social media
Thanks to social media, many pets can find permanent homes. Make use of your online social media presence to raise awareness about less adoptable animals.
5 Interesting Facts About Pet Stores
There is an estimate of 10,000 puppy mills
Puppy mills can be found anywhere, according to the evidence, and there are an estimated 10,000 puppy mills in the United States.
Pet stores are sourced from large-scale factories
Puppy mills solely exist to produce puppies as cheaply as possible.
16 states have no legislation law
While prohibition varies by jurisdiction, there are now 16 states that have no restrictions on puppy mill activities.
A quarter of pet stores are approved
While commercial mill restrictions may be lax in some areas, some operations follow whatever regulations are in place.
130,000 female dogs are primarily for breeding
These dogs exist solely to be bred, to bear puppies to term, and to nurse them for the first few weeks of their lives.
Why We Love No Pet Store Puppies Day
It raises awareness about the cruelty of pet stores
No Pet Store Puppies Day promotes the adoption of animals into permanent homes where they will be safe and cherished. Because the breeding process is neglected in pet stores, puppy mill puppies typically have health issues and genetic flaws.
It reminds us that every animal deserves love
No Pet Store Puppies Day serves as a reminder that all animals are deserving of love. The holiday encourages us to open our hearts and homes to dogs in need.
It makes us kinder
Pets bring us happiness and affection. On No Pet Store Puppies Day, we become gentler people who are happy to adore all creatures, no matter how "imperfect" they may appear.
No Pet Store Puppies Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | July 21 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | July 21 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | July 21 | Friday |
| 2029 | July 21 | Saturday |
| 2030 | July 21 | Sunday |
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