Detectives from the Nassau County SPCA seized nine puppies on Wednesday, December 18, outside a Long Island pet store. These puppies were among 30 found in a delivery van operated by a Missouri-based puppy transporter. The seized puppies were sick with respiratory ailments (possibly pneumonia) and diarrhea. 

Sadly, this isn’t an isolated incident. There are still pet stores in New York State—many of which are in Long Island—that sell puppies from commercial breeding operations (a.k.a. puppy mills). These operations are concentrated in the Midwest, so long, cramped, unsanitary transports are the norm—it’s no wonder so many of these very young puppies arrive at pet stores in poor condition.

In fact, a new national survey commissioned by the ASPCA reveals that one in four people either bought a puppy from a pet store who became severely ill or know someone who did. Nearly half (45%) report that the sick puppy died.

The risk of buying a sick puppy isn’t the only reason to avoid pet stores—back at the breeder, these puppies’ parents are suffering tremendously. Dogs in these facilities spend most of their lives in small cages, with substandard care and little human interaction. 

By adopting from shelters or working with responsible breeders, we can put an end to these cruel practices and finally shut down the puppy mill pipeline. Visit Barred From Love to find out how you can make a difference.

P.S. Attention, New Yorkers: You can help! We are diligently working to ban the sale of cruelly bred puppies in New York State’s pet stores. Join the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade to be alerted when the NY Legislature is back in action—we’ll need your voice to get this historic bill over the finish line.