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 informed millions of caring Australians about the reality of puppy factories — and what they can do to help free dogs from cruelty.

In the biggest campaign for dogs that Australia had ever seen, our eye-opening TV campaign reached millions of people, giving an unprecedented voice to the victims of this callous trade.

How big is the puppy factory problem?

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 – while never being allowed to see their pups grow up.

A severely matted dog rescued from a Tasmanian puppy farm. — This severely matted dog was one of 250 rescued from a Tasmanian puppy factory when the RSPCA successfully shut it down in 2024. The puppy farm bred 'labradoodles' who were being offered for sale around Australia.

What’s the best way to find a new dog or puppy?

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.

By adopting your next best friend, you will not only ensure you aren‘t unwittingly supporting a cruel puppy factory – but you will also save a life. Rescued pets come in all shapes, sizes, breeds, and ages, suitable for every lifestyle and home…

All they are missing is someone to love.

7 REASONS TO ADOPT NOT SHOP

Help shape a kinder world for companion animals

Your commitment to adopt, not buy, can save lives, free up shelter space for other animals in need, and help to end the pet overpopulation crisis.

Pledge to adopt, not buy, a companion.

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"When I decide to bring a companion animal into my home I pledge to save a life by adopting an animal in need from a shelter, rather than supporting the overbreeding crisis by buying from a pet store or breeder."

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