While the USDA licensed high volume facilities are expected to meet minimum regulations, the picture for many dogs that are
in unlicensed facilities is grim.
The News found multiple providers still in operation despite repeat violations, and uncovered dozens of
unlicensed facilities operating with zero oversight.
A Daily News investigation of NYC's 11,513 licensed day care centers (and hundreds
more unlicensed facilities) found a pattern of too many kids and not enough help.
Indeed, closures
of unlicensed facilities have revealed that some perform C - sections, tail docking and ear trimming on their own dogs and puppies, practices that require drugs that are not readily obtained.
As regulations have tightened in New York and Pennsylvania, estimates are that the number of unregulated breeders that have flocked to Oklahoma in recent years may make us number one
in unlicensed facilities.
According to the ASPCA, more than 270 dogs, 250 cats, 40 horses, and numerous pigs were discovered in filthy kennels, cages, outdoor pens, and paddocks at
an unlicensed facility, known as «The Haven.»
There are currently an estimated 10,000 puppy mills in the United States — including both licensed and
unlicensed facilities — with over 2 million puppies bred in mills each year.
• There are an estimated 10,000 puppy mills in the US which include licensed and
unlicensed facilities.