Humane Long Island recently partnered with our friends at Humane World For Animals to rescue a puppy named Honey from the “forgotten dogs room” at Sportsman’s Kennels — a Long Island puppy mill exposed in an undercover investigation for confining sick dogs in filthy, cramped cages, and housing mothers in roach-infested birthing areas. 

“These investigations keep proving the same thing: when animals are bred for profit, cruelty follows,” said John Di Leonardo, Executive Director of Humane Long Island. “Honey is safe now, but countless dogs remain trapped in misery. The power to end this is in the public’s hands — adopt, never shop.”

The Sportsman’s Kennels case is not an outlier. It is the rule. Puppy mills—no matter how polished their marketing, how “licensed” they claim to be, or how wholesome their websites look—are simply factory farms for dogs.

But the principle of Adopt, Don’t Shop extends far beyond companion animals. Every species deserves compassion: dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and farmed animals.

Breeding causes suffering—even under the best marketing

Every year, millions of dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and farmed animals are abandoned, surrendered, or euthanized simply because there are not enough homes for them. Continuing to breed more only inflates the body count.

Breeding commodifies animals. And once an animal becomes a commodity, cruelty inevitably follows.

Wild animals are not pets

Animals like sloths, kangaroos, capybaras, and prairie dogs are wild by nature—not companions. They have complex social, dietary, climatic, and emotional needs that cannot be met in a household, no matter how well-intentioned the owner.

Only true sanctuaries—those that never breed, sell, exploit, or offer photo ops—can responsibly care for rescued wildlife.

Buying “Mini Pigs,” Ducklings, or Backyard Chickens Isn’t Cute—it’s Cruel

Many people believe buying “mini pigs,” ducklings, or backyard chickens is quirky or sustainable. In reality, farmed animals purchased from hatcheries or retailers such as Petco or Tractor Supply often endure worse conditions than dogs in the worst puppy mills.

Why? Because most farmed animals—and fish, reptiles, and amphibians—are excluded from the basic federal protections of the Animal Welfare Act and Humane Slaughter Act. This loophole allows hatcheries—factory farms by another name—to commit horrific cruelty and call it “standard practice.”

Male chicks—who cannot lay eggs—are killed within 24 hours, often ground up, suffocated, or gassed by the thousands. Even the so-called “lucky” females aren’t safe: about 20% are misidentified, later abandoned, or killed once they begin to crow, particularly in towns where roosters are banned. Others are dumped at pseudo-sanctuaries that exploit public sympathy—collecting donations while neglecting, hoarding, or quietly slaughtering animals behind closed doors.

Ducklings may look cute, but their care is complex and lifelong. They require heat lamps, species-specific diets, constant access to water, social interaction, and routine foot care. Domestic ducks are as different from wild ducks as house cats are from tigers—they cannot fly, cannot migrate, and are vulnerable to predators or abandonment if released. A healthy flock should include at least three ducks. Those who are ready to responsibly care for them can contact john@humaneli.org; our Duck Defenders program rescues hundreds of ducks every year and always seeks homes for drakes.

Other long-lived species, like turtles, parrots, and reptiles, require decades of commitment and highly specialized care. And there is no such thing as a “mini” pig—even small breeds often grow to hundreds of pounds.

Only legitimate sanctuaries or experienced adopters should take on these animals. Buying them perpetuates an industry built on suffering.

Choose Compassion

True compassion begins on your plate, in your home, and in the choices you make.

Adopting instead of buying saves lives—and choosing a vegan lifestyle can save nearly 200 lives every year.

Together, we can break the cycle of breeding for profit and ensure all animals are treated with dignity, compassion, and respect.