puppy mill

noun

: a commercial farming operation in which purebred dogs are raised in large numbers and often in substandard or poor conditions
Currently, hundreds of thousands of dogs languish in puppy mills, large commercial breeding operations that supply most pet stores across the United States and contribute heavily to the pet overpopulation problem.Dog Watch

Examples of puppy mill in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Sawyer was part of a litter that was rescued from a puppy mill and brought to Elmbrook Humane Society (EBHS) in Wisconsin, which partners with several rescue groups and individuals to save dogs from these facilities that might otherwise have been killed. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025 Finally, try not to beat yourself up for getting a puppy from a puppy mill. Dr. Devon B. Smith, Baltimore Sun, 16 Jan. 2025 The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) says that as many as 2.6 million puppies are sold each year that have originated from puppy mills. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025 Heart worms, used as a puppy mill and malnourished. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for puppy mill 

Word History

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of puppy mill was in 1953

Dictionary Entries Near puppy mill

Cite this Entry

“Puppy mill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puppy%20mill. Accessed 15 Feb. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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