Title: Major Victories in 2022: Puppy Mills and Pet Stores Under Scrutiny

In our ongoing fight against the inhumane treatment of dogs and cats in puppy and kitten mills, 2022 brought significant progress. These massive breeding facilities prioritize profit over animalwelfare, viewing mothers and fathers as mere money-making machines. However, growing awareness of this injustice led to major victories in our efforts for a more compassionate world for these Animals.

Title: Major Victories in 2022: Puppy Mills and Pet Stores Under Scrutiny

Thanks to the tireless work of our staff, local advocates, and supporters, we achieved several notable milestones:

- Washington, D.C. passed a bill prohibiting the sale of puppies and kittens in pet shops as we wrote this roundup.

- New York became the sixth state to ban the sale of puppies in pet stores, also prohibiting the sale of kittens and rabbits.

- Illinois' humane pet store law took effect earlier this year, while Nevada's Clark County ordinance forced 13 puppy stores to stop selling puppies.

- Houston and Dallas ordinances passed, making it so every major Texas city now prohibits the sale of puppy mill puppies in pet stores.

- The notorious American Kennels pet store in New York City closed after our investigation revealed sick puppies being mistreated and denied proper care, with many rescued and rehomed.

- Maryland Puppies, the last puppy-selling store in Maryland, closed and was heavily fined for failing to comply with state law.

- The U.S. Department of Agriculture ended its Teachable Moments program, which concealed violations from breeder inspection reports since at least 2016.

- Twenty-four puppy mill dealers from our Horrible Hundred reports have closed this year, with one in Kansas charged with animal cruelty and 68 dogs saved, and another in Missouri having her USDA license revoked and facing a $12,000 fine.

- Over the past decade, more than 220 dog dealers from our Horrible Hundred reports have closed, with the average size of many puppy mills shrinking from 87 dogs per facility in 2013 to 57 today, indicating our policy and outreach efforts are making an impact.

Our investigations into Petland stores continued, exposing undercover footage of violations at two Wichita, Kansas, locations and an Overland Park, Kansas, store, as well as assisting with a consumer lawsuit against a Houston area Petland. We will persist in holding Petland accountable and advocating for policy changes and consumer protection.