The federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA) states the standards of the care for dogs and cats in commercial breeding facilities. But, this standard lays a weak foundation for the protection of these animals. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) monitors the care for these animals under the act. They do restrict the distribution of sick animals but only to a certain extent. For example, breeders containing five or more female breeding animals must obtain a license from the USDA. According to the Humane Society, 194,000 dogs are kept solely for breeding proving the holding of a license does not secure protection. 

Animals have little to no rights in these breeding facilities. The shelters given to some of these animals are small, dirty, and over populated. Also, human interaction is not required nor does the animal need to be removed from the cage except fro breeding purposes. The AWA sets broad standards allowing all of these problems to occur. The animals bred from such facilities then develop life threatening sicknesses and are sold to stores. Sick puppies that are adopted cause heart break and even tragedies to families as they suffer from health conditions and even death. With the constant need of the USDA, it is difficult to oversee all areas that need attention. With the help of the USDA millions of animals per year could be saved from the  horrors of mass breeding in puppy mills. Therefore, stricter laws must be enforced.