You’re scrolling through your phone when it happens—an adorable puppy pops up on your feed. Those eyes. That face. The breed you’ve always wanted, just a click away. It feels easy, safe, and modern. But behind that “Buy Now” button is an industry built on suffering that no filter or photo can hide.
A Dog’s Dream was very far out in the country. When I arrived, the dog was in what looked like a staged home setting. They said she’d been bathed, but she didn’t smell clean. I expected that from a rescue dog, so I didn’t think much of it.
The convenience of online puppy shopping has made it easier than ever to find a new furry companion. However, beneath the appealing listings and well-crafted promises, not all platforms operate with transparency. If you’re considering purchasing a puppy, exercise extreme caution and conduct independent research.
Many puppy-selling websites and breeder platforms now advertise delivery via plane, commercial transport, “puppy nannies,” or even parking lot meet-ups. While this may sound convenient, it raises serious concerns about animal welfare, transparency, and the origin of the puppy.
Many online puppy broker websites withhold critical information about breeders until after you’ve committed financially—either through a deposit or full payment. This practice leaves buyers vulnerable and the are likely to support unethical high volume commercial dog breeders and puppy mills.
Recently, our family faced a distressing situation when an elderly relative—who is neither computer literate nor able to physically able to care for a puppy, purchased a 10-week-old puppy from Pawrade for nearly $4,000.
Stop Online Puppy Mills received a heartbreaking complaint from a family who purchased a puppy from Lone Star Pups, an online puppy broker. The tragic story highlights the risks of purchasing puppies online from high-volume breeders and the lack of transparency in the commercial dog breeding industry.
Lancaster, PA Dog Breeder Faces Animal Cruelty Charges for Killing Four Puppies
On March 6, 2025, John S. Stoltzfus Jr., 46, will appear for a Status Conference at the Lancaster, PA County Court for allegedly killing of four innocent doodle puppies—Tammy, Terry, Todd, and Tom. His reasoning? The puppies “weren’t selling” due to their black color.
