Why We Can't Give You a List of All Puppy Mills in Wisconsin

       As more and more people become educated about the abuses of the commercial pet breeding industry, we are fielding more and more requests for a comprehensive list of puppy mills in Wisconsin.

       Such a list does not exist, nor can we compile one. Commercial breeding is an UNREGULATED business in Wisconsin at this time -- therefore, there is no way of knowing how many commerical breeders are operating in the state. It would be like asking for a list of all people driving cars in Wisconsin if we didn't have driver's licenses!

       For us to list everyone we thought were puppy millers would be totally irresponsible. We would need to go out and inspect each and every alleged location. We do not have the people, money or AUTHORITY to do such a thing. And, as we have already illustrated elsewhere on this website, the existing laws are weak, vague, and difficult to enforce, allowing those we would consider to be sub-standard breeders to continue legally keeping dogs in terrible conditions.

We CAN:

• Keep an eye on the classified ads and track those who advertise several breeds of puppies over and over and over.

• Look at Lists of AWA Licensed and Registered Facilities to see who is registered with the USDA as a Breeder or Dealer.

• Feature documented photos and eye-witness accounts sent to us by supporters, and link to media investigative reports of breeders.

• Help out with a number of legal actions against suspected puppy millers (Thyme and Sage Ranch Investigation, Saratoga breeders refused to give care to animals, Arrest Made After Alleged Animal Abuse).

• Encourage people who suspect neglect and abuse to report it to the authorities. Many of the legal actions listed above were possible due to reports to authorities from ordinary people just like you. Please see our Reporting Cruelty and Abuse page for information on whom to call and what to say.

• Educate people about what to look for when they are shopping for a dog. and give them tips and pointers on how to identify whether a breeder is reputable. (See: Guide to Finding a Pet, Before You Buy or Adopt, and the links presented on those pages.)

• Work as hard as possible to get AB-250 / SB-208, THE COMMERCIAL DOG BREEDERS LICENSURE BILL, passed in our State Legislature! Once that is accomplished....people selling more than 25 dogs a year will need to be licensed and those license holders will be listed -- and, we hope, their inspection reports will be available to the public.