An annual report from the Humane World for Animals has once again found a high number of known puppy mills in Ohio. 

The “Horrible Hundred” report looks at 13 states and compares the violations of licensed breeders. This year's report found puppy mills in Dundee, Sugarcreek Fresno, Bellville Walhonding, Millersburg, Fredericksburg and Dresden, Ohio. 

Some of the violations include poor conditions when housing the animals, not keeping up with proper veterinary care, selling puppies without health certificates and not properly vaccinating the dogs.

Four of the dealers from Ohio have been listed in reports from previous years but continue to operate despite multiple violations. Some of the offenders have continued to breed by going through the relicensing process or putting a new license in another name number at the same address. 

The dealers often advertise online, so to make sure your next companion isn't coming from puppy mill you have to ask questions. 

“You want to see where they're being bred, the parents of the animals and their veterinary records. Not their shot records but their veterinary records,” Jane MacMurchy, the Executive Director of Animal Charity of Ohio said. 

Majority of the time a puppy mill will not hand over a clean bill of health from an actual vet in hopes of hiding something.

“Most people who end up with dogs from those areas end up with severe genetic disabilities,” MacMurchy said.

Several people in the Mahoning Valley have reported that they were scammed out of thousands of dollars by puppy mills - either getting a sick puppy or not getting one at all.

Going to see the dog in-person is the best way to make sure someone is actually selling an animal and that it's healthy.

“You want to see the environment that the pet is being born into … how does the facility look, is it clean,” Melissa Ames, the President & CEO Mahoning Valley Better Business Bureau said. 

Ames also added that a picture of a dog on social media is not proof it’s a legitimate breeder. She said one local woman reported that a dealer was using generic pictures of dogs from google images trying to trick buyers into thinking a dog was for sale that she never had.

Compared to other states, Ohio has the second highest number of puppy mills just behind Missouri. It's the third year in a row Ohio has placed in the top three of highest number of puppy mills from the states the Humane World for Animals has collected data from.

Over the past five years Ohio has seen a large jump going from only two known dealers in 2021 to a peak of 20 in 2024 then dipping down slightly to 16 this year.

MacMurchy said even though no one in the Mahoning Valley was included in the report she believes there are still puppy mills in the area. She said “backyard breeders” are puppy mills who don’t obtain licenses. Since the report only tracks those with licenses and violations, the suspected illegal breeders are not included.

If you do choose to buy online from anyone, ask the breeder for names of past customers to call for their opinions. 

“We would do that for any other types of jobs, maybe for example you're hiring a contractor for your home you would check on references, same thing in this instance,” Ames said.

Overall, animal advocates say it might be a better option to get your next pet from a shelter or rescue facility, where pets get proper care and are in need of a good home.