Pedigree or Profit?

The Bark: A Pet Podcast Unleashed

In this powerful episode, we uncover how organizations like the AKC and USDA are quietly fueling America’s growing animal crisis—including right here in Tennessee. Behind the polished image of registered breeds and kennel standards lies a system that may appear to be built on unchecked overbreeding, outdated policies, and a disturbing tolerance for puppy mills and backyard breeding operations.

These high-volume breeding facilities aren’t just rare, isolated cases—they’re part of a national pipeline, enabled by lax oversight and protected by the very institutions meant to uphold animal welfare. With little accountability, puppy mills continue to churn out dogs, flooding the market and keeping both online sellers and some pet stores supplied.

We explore how profit, politics, and public perception collide in a system that prioritizes registration fees and industry power over the wellbeing of animals. If you've ever questioned where your dog came from—or what it really means to be “AKC registered”—this episode will open your eyes.