Bailing Out Benji investigates licensed and unlicensed breeders, as well as the stores, websites, and rescues they sell through. Our data powers the country’s largest breeder search engine, which drives policy reform, shifts consumer buying habits, and reshapes the national conversation surrounding puppy mills and how to effectively end the cruelty.
New report: National Study on the Commercial Dog Breeding and Sales Industry
Founded in 2011 in Ames, Iowa, Bailing Out Benji works from the ground up, as neighbors, not outsiders, to end the puppy mill industry through academic and field research, education for buyers and changemakers, and direct engagement with thought leaders across the breeding industry to drive reform and transparency.
We believe change happens from within: by earning trust and access at the source, we drive change where it matters most, while arming consumers with facts that make an informed public the most powerful force against puppy mills. Real change comes from proximity, not pitchforks.
Backed by years of field research and public records, here is what the data actually shows about how the licensed and unlicensed dog breeding world operates in the United States.
A puppy mill isn’t one specific type of facility- it can be large or small, licensed or unlicensed, with or without violations. What they share is subpar standards, minimal vet care, and dogs bred repeatedly with no regard for welfare. That’s why we believe every buyer should research the facility their puppy is at from before they buy. Not every breeder is a puppy mill, but every puppy mill is a breeder.
Pet stores and online marketplaces make it easy for subpar breeders to sell to the public- often with little to no disclosure about where those puppies actually come from. Bailing Out Benji closes that gap: our research and public database traces the supply chain, so buyers can see the full picture before they buy.
The USDA licenses commercial breeders under the Animal Welfare Act, but minimal standards allow conditions that most Americans would find shocking. Even more concerning is that less than half of the states even license or inspect companion animal facilities, which allows cruelty to thrive. Bailing Out Benji researches all of it in order to find the most effect ways to combat cruelty.
Before you meet a puppy, get to know the breeder. Watch for red flags: puppies always “in stock,” multiple breeds for sale at once, no vet records, refusal to let you see the facility, or pressure to decide fast. A responsible breeder will answer your questions, let you meet the parents and see where the puppy was raised- with no hesitation. Start with our Licensed Breeder Search Engine before you ever put down a deposit.
A license is often marketed as a safety guarantee because it means regulated- our data shows that families should research no matter how they buy or adopt. After five years tracking licensed breeders nationwide, we found that 41% have had state or federal violations. Licensing tells you a facility exists. It doesn’t tell you how the dogs are treated.The data surrounding unlicensed facilities highlights an even larger problem.
Search our audited list of licensed breeders, brokers, and resellers across the country to view information about any history of violations, how they sell, or who they source through!
Join the growing list of supporters and donors who are helping us fulfill our mission.
Join the other 12,000+ supporters who’ve subscribed to receive news and alerts about puppy mill issues in their state.
Every breeder in our registry has been screened against USDA violation records and our own investigative database. None have known ties to large-scale commercial operations.
Your donation funds investigations, legislative advocacy, educator outreach, and the maintenance of our free breeder database. Every dollar moves us closer to ending puppy mills.
Bailing Out Benji is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All donations are tax-deductible.
