Humane Society says 24 puppy mills in Oklahoma supply Petland

"Many Petland stores across the country are supporting cruel puppy mills, even while telling unsuspecting customers that the dogs come only from good breeders,” the Humane Society said in a news release.

Petland responded on its Web site, disputing the report and accusing the Humane Society of "sensationalism at its best.”

None of Petland’s 140 U.S. stores are in Oklahoma, but 24 Oklahoma breeders are among those that sell dogs to the corporation, according to Cynthia Armstrong, Oklahoma state director for the Humane Society.

In its Web site response, Petland officials said the Humane Society "has a history of publicizing false information in an effort to raise money.”

"Reports such as those posted on the HSUS Web site surface every year around the holiday season in conjunction with their annual fundraising efforts,” Petland officials said. "They do not operate a single pet shelter or pet adoption facility anywhere in the U.S. To the contrary, over the last 10 years, Petland has adopted out more than 270,000 homeless puppies and kittens nationwide.”

Oklahoma has more than 530 USDA-licensed dog breeders.

Armstrong said only Missouri has more puppy mills than Oklahoma.

Kansas ranks third, she said.

"There are inherent problems in trying to take care of up to 600 to 700 dogs in a single location,” Armstrong said. "It’s just impossible to provide the kind of care and socialization these animals need.”

Armstrong urged people who want to adopt pets to visit their local animal shelters or animal rescue groups.

For individuals who insist on buying from breeders, there is no substitute for meeting the breeders and viewing their operations, she said.