There can be a lot of animal cruelty in the pet industry. Especially animals that are bred in puppy mills, with many similar cruelties that you would find in factory farms. Below are resources and organizations to find pets bred without cruelty.

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Adoption

Adopt an animal from a cruelty free center near you

National Sites:

ASPCA: Animal Adoption Shelters
ASPCA: No Pet Store Puppies
Petfinder
Puppy Friendly Pet Store
- Pet stores that adopt from nearby shelters or moved to a supplies-only model

Greater DC Local Adoption Sites

Beltway Barks
- DC Actors for Animals (DCa4a) coordinates adoption events, charity events, and fundraisers with local rescue organizations and animal shelters, provides world class entertainment, and promotes humane education for owners and animals-in-need in DC, MD, and VA. The cornerstone event is an annual star-studded adopt-a-thon, Beltway Barks, featuring musical performances, local vendors, and presentations of adoptable animals from rescue groups throughout the area.

Greater DC – VA

Alexandria

Animal Welfare League Of Alexandria

Arlington

Fairfax

Greater DC – MD

Bethesda

Alley Cat Rescue

Washingtonian: 8 Places to Adopt a Dog In Washington

Other Animal Friendly Services

Blue Collar Cats
- The perfect new hire for wherever pests interfere with your inventory. These cats are not house pets. They’re strictly business. And their business is solving your business’ rodent problem.

Humane Pet Food and Treats

Many pets, such as cats and dogs, are carnivores that need to eat meat. Look for pet products that come from humane farms, not factory farms.

Local

Furry Foodie from Ayrshire Farm – Frozen Raw pet food – (order online, PetSage, The Big Bad Woof)

Painted Hand Farm LIVER BITS – Pet Treats – (order online)

Paris Barn (Santuary Farm) Home Made Doggie Treats – Pet Treats – (order online)

National Certified Humane

Open Farm – Pet Food, Pet Treats – (order online, PetSage, Howl to the Chief, Kriser’s Natural Pet, The Big Bad Woof, Westwood Enterprises)

Answers Pet Food – formula, treats – (Doggie Style LLC, Mom’s Organic Market, Metro Mutts, Fido and Kitty’s World, Howl to the Chief, Wylie Wagg, Pet Mac DC, Pro Feed, The Big Bad Woof, Dogma Dog Bakery & Boutique, Westwood Pet Center, Club Wags, PetSage, Mighty Healthy Pets of CP, LLC)

Primal Raw Goats Milk – nutrient rich pet milk *other Primal Raw products are not humanely sourced* – (Wagtime, Planet Pets, Doggie Style, City Dogs, Metro Mutts, Mom’s Organic Market, Fido & Kitty’s World, Howl To The Chief, Kriser’s, Pet Mac, Pet Pantry Express dba PetMac, The Big Bad Wolf, Westwood Pet Center, Dogma Dog Bakery, Natures Nibbles, Dominion Pet Center, Club Wags, Pro Feed Pet Nutrition Center, Pet Sage)

National Non-Certified Humane

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Steve’s Real Food – pet food, treats, supplements *pasture raised beef, free range chicken, free range turkey, cage free turkey, pasture raised goats, *pork is humanely handled but not pasture raised* (order online, Big Bad Woof)