Better Boards Campaign

Most Tractor Supply locations also have community boards, serving as local hubs for flyers, events, and neighborly notice. Unfortunately, this area has also become prime real estate for breeders to post advertisements for their puppies, many of which are bred irresponsibly. How do we know these are irresponsible breeders? They contain red flags such as no health testing proof, inability to meet parents/see living conditions, rushed sales, no contracts, multiple breeds, missing vet records, and suspicious pricing. (To learn more about the difference between a responsible and irresponsible breeder, click here.) While we understand these boards are meant to serve local communities, allowing such flyers can unintentionally contribute to the very overbreeding and animal welfare issues that Tractor Supply actively helps combat. It feels contradictory to see support for adoption and responsible pet ownership alongside postings that promote unregulated breeding practices. Tractor Supply's in-store community boards are intended to support local connection, but without clear, consistent guidelines, some boards are being used to advertise puppies in ways that may raise concerns for animal welfare.

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Let's play devil's advocate: Suppose a flyer giving away free puppies was posted by someone who is not an irresponsible breeder. While we'd love to see this person to find a home for each of these puppies, giving them away, unfixed and likely without conducting a background check, those puppies can very easily end up back in the cycle that prompted this community member to post the flyer in the first place. Puppies sold with little oversight often come with hidden costs—parvo, worms, fleas, and serious medical issues families aren’t prepared for. There’s no screening of buyers, no accountability, and no concern for where these dogs end up or how they’re used. We need to stop the leak and unfortunately, that likely means that not all animals find themselves in situations we'd love for them.​