Puppy mills have existed in the United States for many years, they are clandestinely run organizations, so they are not easily monitored by animal control units. Puppy Mills are places where purebred dogs are kept in small pens, are severely neglected and forced to mate until their bodies can't take it anymore, and then they are killed inhumanely. The puppies are then sent to pet shops, leaving the females and stud dogs there to continue the cycle of abuse. Animal rights activists are trying to find ways to expose the breeders who run puppy mills and encourage the public not to purchase puppies from pet stores because it is the puppy mills that provide them with puppies for sale. Puppy mills began after World War II when farmers were desperate for ways to make money after widespread farm failures (AmeriDogs NP). Farmers started their mills with low income and already in degraded living conditions. Dogs were housed in chicken coops and rabbit pens, where they were denied veterinary care and socialization with humans or other animals (NP). Farmers were not educated on how to properly care for the dogs they housed, leaving the animals sick, emaciated and very unhealthy. Finally, in 1966, the Animal Welfare Act was passed outlining specific minimum standards of care for dogs, cats, and other types of animals bred for commercial resale (Stop NP). Subsequently, animal rights organizations were able to close down some of the puppy mills that were in poor condition, but closing down all puppy mills in the United States would be an impossible task. There are now many organizations dedicated to shutting down as many puppy mills as possible. Although there are laws that try to regulate puppy mills and do... middle of paper... continue to sell puppies there are also companies that are guilty. The less profit these farms make, the more they will be forced to close. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals states: "By purchasing a puppy from a pet store, not only are you likely perpetuating and supporting a cruel industry, but you as a consumer run the risk of bringing home a sick puppy. Dogs of puppy mills have reportedly been diagnosed with ailments such as respiratory infections and pneumonia, as well as hereditary defects such as hip dysplasia A family will put their pets they already have at home at risk of contracting a deadly disease that the dog has contracted the puppy, you will be financially responsible for any pets that need veterinary care, or you may face euthanasia because of the expenses involved in treating dogs suffering from illnesses.