Yes, puppy mills do still exist.

Yes, puppy mills do still exist. A puppy mill is a commercial dog breeding facility that mass produces puppies, subjecting mother dogs to deplorable conditions. Puppies produced from puppy mills are often sick, stressed and unsocialized. Puppy mills commonly sell puppies through internet sites, online classified ads, and pet stores. Consumers buying puppies originating from puppy mills will never get the chance to see where the puppy was raised and will not be able to meet the puppy's parents. Responsible breeders, on the other hand, will be happy to meet consumers in person and show where a puppy was born and raised—and where their mom still lives too. Consumers who fall in love with that little puppy in the window are not only kept in the dark about the origins of the puppy, but also about the high interest rates and hidden fees when applying for financing for said puppy. You heard that right – financing a puppy. And financing the purchase of a puppy increases puppy impulse sales at pet stores. The price of puppies purchased online, through classified ads, and in pet stores can be extremely expensive. The average cost of a puppy mill puppy is between $2,000-$10,000. According to The Humane Society of the United States, financing offerings are a key part of a puppy sales pitch. Loans are often approved through a third-party lender within minutes, and sometimes pet store staff rush customers through paperwork without disclosing the interest rates and fees. Currently, at least 27 pet stores in Pennsylvania offer financing through third party lenders. Several large online brokers that ship puppies to in-state customers also offer financing. High interest rates, hidden fees, and the sticker cost of each puppy is enough to cause financial hardship for many consumers. Add sick puppy veterinary costs to the mix and financial devastation often ensues. A Petland Monroeville customer who thought she was getting a deal on a slightly older, discounted puppy, wrote of her experience in a Better Business Bureau (BBB) complaint: "After applying for financing I was approved and I unfortunately signed the finance agreement on the spot without being fully aware of all the terms, which included a 151.98% interest rate! It was a very emotional time period for me as I had my 11-year-old daughter with me who was begging for the puppy and distracting me - which I'm sure they knew and took advantage of. To learn that you will end up paying $6,055.40 for a $1,888.31 purchase is enough to make one reconsider and reject such an outlandish proposition." Currently, Pennsylvania pet stores offer financing through Easy Pay Finance, Credova Financial, American First Finance, and Lending USA—just to name a few—and all have BBB complaints regarding puppy financing. So, what can be done about this predatory lending that is connected to puppy mill cruelty? Pennsylvania House Bill 2311 will put a stop to predatory, deceptive financing of dogs and cats. This bill would not stop anyone from buying a dog or cat using a credit card but would stop lending companies from offering financing to any dog or cat purchaser. An Illinois law prohibiting the financing of dogs and cats went into effect on Jan. 1, 2022. Pennsylvania would be the second state to enact such a policy. (Five states have already prohibited the sale of dogs and cats in pet stores altogether.) For animals and consumers, please call your Pennsylvania Representative today and ask them to cosponsor and support House Bill 2311.