Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) today joined U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins at the Animal Rescue League of Iowa to highlight federal efforts to crack down on puppy mills and hold abusive breeders accountable. Rep. Nunn and Secretary Rollins toured the shelter and met with staff to hear firsthand about the toll puppy mills take on dogs and the shelters that care for them.
“Man’s best friend deserves better than a lifetime of cruelty at the hands of puppy mill operators chasing a profit,” said Rep. Nunn. “I secured a bipartisan crackdown on puppy mills in the House-passed Farm Bill, and I’m grateful to work alongside Secretary Rollins to turn that authority into action: enforce the law, stop the abuse, and protect dogs before shelters have to rescue them.”
“Animal cruelty has no place in this country, and breeders who break the law must be held accountable,” said Secretary Rollins. “USDA is strengthening inspections and enforcement to protect dogs from abuse before rescue becomes their only hope. I’m grateful to Congressman Nunn for his leadership and to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa for its tireless work giving these animals the care and the second chance they deserve.”
Iowa remains one of the largest puppy mill states in the nation. In 2024 alone, the Animal Rescue League of Iowa and partner organizations rescued more than 400 animals from puppy mills, hoarding, and other inhumane conditions across the state. Rep. Nunn secured a bipartisan amendment in the House-passed Farm Bill reinforcing USDA’s authority to crack down on abusive breeders.
In September, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) deployed a new Animal Protection Bureau to identify unlicensed breeders, strengthen inspections, and coordinate enforcement against illegal operations. So far in 2026, USDA has conducted more than 2,000 inspections of dog breeder and broker facilities, suspended six licenses, and revoked five more from chronic violators.
Photos from the visit are available here.
