A puppy mill is a commercial dog breeding operation where profit takes priority over the health and well-being of the breeding animals and their offspring. Typically, but not always, puppy mills are large scale operations closed to the public. Since the passage of HB 1451, large scale commercial dog breeders (as well as large scale commercial cat breeders) operating in Texas must obtain a license, maintain a standard of care for their animals, and pass periodic inspections. Prior to HB 1451, there was no state law regulating such facilities; thus conditions and treatment of the animals used for breeding in these operations went sight unseen.