How well do you know your best friend?

You love your dog. But it’s possible you’ve been deceived about something. Many puppies bought online or through pet shops have been born in puppy factories, where their parents are trapped in a cycle of suffering.

At ‘best‘, puppy factories (also known as puppy mills or puppy farms) use dogs as breeding machines and deprive them of the love and companionship they crave. At worst, they are living nightmares for the dogs trapped within them. We‘ve seen dogs kept in ‘upright tombs‘, denied sunlight and forced to eat, sleep and ‘live‘ in faeces-littered cages.

Animals Australia’s hard-hitting campaign, Know your best friend,  has educated millions of caring Australians about the reality of puppy factories — and what they can do to help free dogs from cruelty.

It’s huge. The factory farming of dogs has become big business in Australia. And it’s entirely legal. While some states have introduced caps on breeding, others give puppy farmers free rein and even allow back-to-back breeding, which means mother dogs are in a constant state of pregnancy. 

The Pet Industry Association of Australia (PIAA) estimates that around 450,000 puppies are sold in Australia each year. Around 15% of puppies are purchased through pet shops and the vast majority of purchases happen online – and online sales are totally unregulated. 

Caring about your dog means caring where they come from. The reality is that most dogs bought in pet shops or online will have come from inhumane puppy factories. The best way to break this cycle of suffering is to refuse to support these establishments.

And by adopting your next best friend, you will not only ensure you aren‘t unwittingly supporting a cruel puppy factory — you will also save a life. Rescue pets come in all shapes, sizes, breeds, ages, and are suitable for every lifestyle and home. All they are missing is someone to love.