According to the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Ontario SPCA), the term "puppy mill" describes a breeding operation in which dogs are repeatedly bred for financial gain and are kept in substandard conditions. Puppy mill dogs are often confined to small cages for their entire lives and commonly suffer from various infections and parasites. A puppy mill cannot meet the needs of a dog and is a form of cruelty.

These substandard conditions and a non-scientific approach to breeding, often leads to chronic health and behavioral problems in the puppies. These problems can result in high vet bills and emotional stress for the dogs' owners - ie. possibly you.

They sell primarily to retail pet shops (usually via a broker), but occasionally sells directly to individual consumers. Dogs are bred solely for profit, with no concern for their physical health or psychological well-being - most are disease-ridden; all are force-bred continuously. Often uses "Kennels" or "Farms" in its business name. Dogs' and puppies' are usually in squalid living conditions are off-limits to the public.