It’s only once people bring a puppy home that they realize the problems caused by the illegal breeder. For example, the puppy turns out to be far too young, has a fake passport, and isn’t up to date on its vaccinations. Often, the young animal has all sorts of medical issues. Sometimes these are so serious that the animal dies. Behavioral problems begin to surface as the animal gets older, and so on.

People view buying a dog as adding to their family and do so with the best of intentions. This makes it an emotional process. That is precisely what puppy mills count on. With embellished stories and under false pretenses, prospective owners are manipulated and ultimately scammed. Everything is geared toward selling the puppy as quickly as possible.

When you arrive at a puppy mill, for example, you’re immediately handed a fluffy little ball of a puppy. Any critical question is skillfully deflected. The breeder says things like: “Yes, you have to decide quickly, because this is the last one from the litter and he could be gone in an hour.” And there you are, holding your potential new family member in your arms… And he’s so sweet, soft, and adorable!

Of course, at that point it’s almost impossible to walk away without that little creature, so you fall for it… With all the consequences that entails, and the puppy mill operator coming out on top…

It’s simple… Puppy mills want to make as much money as possible off the backs of dogs, without any regard for the people who choose an animal from the heart or for the animal’s own well-being.

That’s why the illegal dog trade must stop.

House of Animals has set a goal to put an end to the illegal puppy mill trade in the Netherlands within five years.