What Are Puppy Mills? How To Spot and Avoid Them

This article provides general information only and is not a substitute for personalised veterinary advice. Always speak with your vet about your pet’s individual health needs. Accurate as at 30 October 2026.

There’s nothing quite like the excitement of bringing home a new puppy. From choosing their name to stocking up on toys, it’s easy to get caught up in the fun. But before you fall head over paws, there’s one important thing to consider: where your puppy comes from.

Not every puppy has the best start in life. Some come from puppy mills, also known as puppy farms in Australia, where dogs are bred in conditions that compromise their welfare. And while those adorable puppy photos can be hard to resist, knowing what goes on behind the scenes can help you avoid supporting unethical breeding practices.

A little research can go a long way. From recognising the warning signs of a puppy farm to finding a responsible breeder, here’s what you need to know to give your new furry family member the best possible start.

Table of contents

What are puppy mills?
How puppy farms affect dogs
Warning signs of a puppy farm
Puppy farms aren’t always easy to spot
Consider adoption first
How to find a responsible breeder
What to do if you suspect a puppy farm
Giving your new puppy a great start

What are puppy mills?

Puppy mills, also known as puppy farms or puppy factories, are breeding facilities where dogs are kept in conditions that compromise their welfare. They’re a serious animal welfare concern in Australia, as the focus is often on breeding puppies rather than the health and wellbeing of the dogs.

While puppy farms are often associated with large commercial operations, poor breeding conditions can exist in smaller set-ups too, whether they’re run for profit or not.

Many operate out of sight on remote or semi-rural properties, making them difficult to spot. And it’s important to know that puppies of any breed can come from these facilities, including popular designer crossbreeds.

How puppy farms affect dogs

Life on a puppy farm can be incredibly tough, especially for the mother dogs kept for breeding. Dogs on puppy farms may:

Not have enough food, water, or suitable shelter.
Be kept in small, overcrowded, unhygienic enclosures, which they often never leave, even to go to the toilet.
Not receive basic care like grooming, parasite control, vaccinations, and regular health checks.
Not have suitable opportunities to exercise.
Have little chance to experience the world beyond their enclosure.
Be taken away from their mothers too early.

Indiscriminate breeding can also increase the risk of inbreeding and inherited disorders. And when dogs are kept in conditions that don’t adequately meet their physical and behavioural needs, their welfare can be compromised, with potentially long-term health and behavioural consequences.

Warning signs of a puppy farm

The good news is that a few simple checks can help you recognise the warning signs of a puppy farm. One important rule to keep in mind? Never buy a puppy without meeting them first. Taking the time to ask questions and see where a puppy has been raised can help you make a more informed decision.

Visit where the puppy was born and raised

Always make sure you meet your puppy in the place where they were born and raised. If a breeder won’t let you visit, suggests meeting somewhere else, or offers to arrange delivery instead, that’s a big red flag.

Once you’re there, take a good look around. Are the surroundings clean and free from unpleasant odours? Do the dogs have room to move around and play? Is there fresh food and clean water available?

Meet the mother

Meeting your puppy’s mum can tell you a lot about how the puppies are being cared for. If possible, it’s also worth meeting the father and the rest of the litter.

Does the mother appear to be in good health? Do the puppies resemble her?

Don’t be shy about asking questions, either. Find out how old the mother is and how many litters she’s had. A responsible breeder will be happy to answer all your questions and talk you through her breeding.

Check the puppies’ health and age

A healthy puppy will generally have clear eyes, a clean nose and ears, and a healthy-looking coat without fleas, other parasites or patches of missing fur. They should be interested in their environment and comfortable interacting with their mum, littermates and people. These checks are a helpful starting point, but they’re no substitute for a health check by your vet.

Age matters, too. Puppies shouldn’t leave their mother until they’re at least eight weeks old and fully weaned. Some states and territories also have specific laws about this.

Watch for red flags in online ads

It’s not always easy to tell who’s behind an online puppy ad. And unfortunately, some ads may be linked to puppy farms or even scams.

Be cautious if an ad:

Offers to let you take a puppy home before they’re at least eight weeks old.
Offers to arrange delivery.
Claims the parents are ‘DNA tested’ but doesn’t provide proof.
Shares very little about the puppy’s health, history, microchip, or vaccination status.
Appears on a brand-new website.

It’s also worth keeping an eye out for scammers who ask for upfront payments for puppies that don’t actually exist. A reverse image search of the puppy photos can be a useful check, along with verifying microchip and breeder registration numbers through the relevant registries.

Puppy farms aren’t always easy to spot

Not every puppy farm looks the way you might expect. Some use a ‘shopfront’, such as a lovely-looking house, to hide the conditions where the dogs are actually kept. Puppies from these operations can also be sold online, through newspaper ads, at markets, or in some pet shops.

If you’re visiting a breeder, take a closer look at the little details. Do the food bowls, bedding, and toys make it seem like the dogs genuinely live there? Do the dogs appear comfortable and familiar with the environment they’re in?

Consider adoption first

Thinking about welcoming a dog into your family? Before looking for a breeder, why not consider adoption? There are plenty of wonderful dogs waiting for a loving home, and one of them could be your perfect match.

Dogs adopted through the RSPCA have already had a vet health check and behaviour evaluation. They’re also vaccinated, wormed, microchipped, and desexed. If you’re adopting through another rescue group, it’s worth asking which health checks and treatments your dog has had.

Got your heart set on a particular type of dog? A breed-specific rescue group might be able to help. You can also browse dogs currently looking for loving homes on the RSPCA’s Adoptapet website.

How to find a responsible breeder

If adoption isn’t quite the right fit for you, the next step is finding a responsible breeder. When choosing one, look for someone who:

Is licensed or registered with the relevant authority and follows all legal requirements.
Welcomes you to visit where the puppies were born and raised.
Invites you to meet the puppy’s mum as well as littermates.
Focuses on breeding for health and temperament, including screening for inherited disorders.
Shares the full medical history of the puppy and their parents, including screening test results.
Breeds responsibly and asks you questions to make sure you’re a good match for the puppy.
Offers ongoing support, is keen to stay in touch and provides a take-back guarantee.
Is happy to provide references if you ask.

Questions to ask a breeder

It’s perfectly reasonable to ask a breeder a few questions before making a decision. Some good ones include:

Was the litter planned, and what happens to puppies who aren’t sold?
Can I meet the mother, and what’s her health and breeding history?
How old is the mother, and how many litters has she had?
What happens to dogs when they retire from breeding?
What health screening has been carried out on the parents?
Have the puppies had their first veterinary health check?
What vaccinations and parasite treatment have the puppies received?
What support do you provide after the puppy goes to their new home?
What happens if I’m no longer able to care for the dog? Do you offer a take-back guarantee?

Being ‘registered’ doesn’t guarantee good welfare

You might come across breeders who describe themselves as ‘registered’. This could mean they’re part of a breed club or registered with their local authority. But being registered doesn’t automatically guarantee good welfare or responsible breeding practices. That’s why doing your own research, visiting in person and asking the right questions is still so important.

Breeding and selling rules also vary across Australia, so it’s worth checking with your local council.

What to do if you suspect a puppy farm

If something doesn’t feel right and you suspect you’ve come across a puppy farm, don’t buy a puppy from the operation, as this can support the continuation of puppy farming practices. Instead, report your concerns to the RSPCA in your state or territory.

Giving your new puppy a great start

Now that you know the answer to ‘what are puppy mills?’, you’re one step closer to making an informed choice about where your puppy comes from, while making a choice that supports good animal welfare.

And once your new best mate is home, there’s plenty you can do to help them settle in and thrive. Regular vet check-ups and good everyday care are a great place to start. For those unexpected trips to the vet, pet insurance can also help cover some of the costs of eligible vet treatment.

With an RSPCA Pet Insurance policy, you can customise your cover to suit your puppy’s needs and your budget. Plus, every policy helps support the RSPCA’s animal welfare work. So, while you’re helping to protect your own puppy, you’re also making a difference for animals in need across Australia.

To learn more about how RSPCA Pet Insurance could support you and your puppy, explore our puppy insurance. Or, if you’re ready to take the next step, you can fetch a commitment-free pet insurance quote online.

Disclaimer

As with any insurance, terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please read the Product Disclosure Statement to make sure this cover suits your needs.

References

[1] RSPCA Australia. What is a puppy farm? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/what-is-a-puppy-farm

[2] RSPCA Australia. How do I avoid supporting puppy farms? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/how-do-i-avoid-supporting-puppy-farms

[3] RSPCA Australia. Smart puppy and dog buyer’s guide. RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/bfd_download/smart-puppy-and-dog-buyers-guide-jul-2024

[4] RSPCA Australia. What are some red flags when looking for a dog or cat online? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/what-are-some-red-flags-when-looking-for-a-dog-or-cat-online

[5] RSPCA Australia. I’m looking for a new companion animal, where should I go? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/im-looking-for-a-new-companion-animal-where-should-i-go

[6] RSPCA Australia. How do I find a responsible dog or cat breeder? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/how-do-i-find-a-responsible-dog-or-cat-breeder

[7] RSPCA Australia. What is a ‘registered breeder’? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/what-is-a-registered-breeder

[8] RSPCA Australia. RSPCA Policy A6: Breeding and rearing of companion animals. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/rspca-policy-a6-breeding-and-rearing-of-companion-animals/

[9] Australian Veterinary Association (AVA). Puppy farming. AVA policy. Available from: https://www.ava.com.au/policy/puppy-farming

[10] NSW Office of Local Government. Changes to dog breeding laws. NSW Pet Registry. Available from: https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/pets/nsw-pet-registry/breeders/changes-dog-breeding-laws

[11] NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. Selling or transferring a dog. Available from: https://www.dpird.nsw.gov.au/dpi/animals/animal-welfare/advice/pets/dogs/selling-transferring

FAQs

Puppy mills, more commonly known as ‘puppy farms’ in Australia, are breeding facilities where dogs are kept in conditions that don’t meet their needs. Dogs may live in overcrowded, unhygienic spaces without enough food, clean water, vet care, or opportunities to exercise or socialise. Sadly, these conditions compromise animal welfare and may lead to long-term health and behavioural problems.

There are a few red flags to watch out for. Be cautious if a breeder won’t let you visit where the puppies were raised, won’t let you meet their mother, if the puppies don’t appear to resemble their mother, or offers to deliver your puppy somewhere else. Avoid breeders who dodge reasonable questions, keep dogs in cramped or dirty conditions, or offer puppies who appear to be younger than eight weeks old.

Not necessarily. While a breeder may be registered with a local authority or belong to a breed club, registration alone does not guarantee responsible, welfare-focused breeding practices. It’s still important to do your homework, visit where the puppies are raised, meet their mother, and ask plenty of questions before making a decision.

Puppies should be at least eight weeks old and fully weaned before leaving their mother. This gives them important time with their mum and littermates before going to a new home. Some Australian states and territories also have specific laws around when puppies can be rehomed. If a breeder offers you a younger puppy, consider it a red flag.