Puppy Mill Bill Cracks Down on Online Dog Sales

Thursday, February 28, 2013 - 2:30pm
Puppy mill dog

Great news! This week members of Congress reintroduced legislation to establish greater federal oversight of puppy mills and online dog sales.

The Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety (PUPS) Act would require commercial breeders who sell their puppies directly to the public, sight unseen, including via the web, to be licensed and inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Currently, only breeders who sell dogs to pet stores or to puppy brokers are subject to federal oversight.

Many puppies sold online come from puppy mills and are commonly bred in unsanitary, overcrowded and often cruel conditions without sufficient veterinary care, food, water or socialization. While facilities that breed puppies for commercial resale through pet stores are required to be licensed and inspected, breeders who sell directly to consumers, via the Internet, newspaper classifieds or other outlets, are exempt from any federal oversight.

“As the ASPCA has seen firsthand, the photos of happy, healthy puppies posted on a breeder’s website often grossly misrepresent what conditions are really like for these puppies and their parents,” says Nancy Perry, Senior Vice President of ASPCA Government Relations. “Puppy mills are able to completely evade federal oversight by taking advantage of a pre-Internet loophole in current law, but the PUPS Act would change that.”

As mentioned in USA Today, the PUPS Act will require that any breeder who sells more than 50 dogs each year to pet stores or online must meet federal standards.

“The current loophole has allowed too many dog breeders to get away with abusive behavior for far too long,” adds Cori Menkin, Senior Director of the ASPCA’s Puppy Mill Campaign. “We encourage Congress and the USDA to take meaningful steps to protect dogs in commercial breeding facilities.”

To learn more about the ASPCA’s efforts to eradicate puppy mills, and how you can help, please visit www.nopetstorepuppies.com.

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Comments

Thu, 02/28/2013 - 18:00 — Lupe Andrade (Visitor)
The overpopulation of cats and dogs needs to stop so many shelters are forced to kill unwanted animals breeders are just adding to this over population problem

Thu, 02/28/2013 - 21:27 — Michele Appel (Visitor)
Please pass legislation for puppy mills

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 10:58 — marianne schappek (Visitor)
PLEASE pass legislation to stop puppy/kitty mills

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 11:22 — Nedra Holder (Visitor)
Please stop these puppy and kitty mills

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 12:50 — KIM CANALES (Visitor)
PLEASE STOP PUPPY MILLS!!!

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 13:29 — mary presley (Visitor)
i buy puppy store he very sick need surgery i save he live but heart promber he had loss him very sad

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 21:23 — S. O. Rooney (Visitor)
I'm really sorry for your loss. It sounds like you tried hard to give your puppy a good life.

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 15:49 — Christine Clawson (Visitor)
PLEASE STOP PUPPY MILLS!!!

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 17:13 — Kathy (Visitor)
Please STOP these inhumane ways of selling animals.

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 11:34 — Ron Van Horn (Visitor)
Please pass the law to stop animal mills

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 12:22 — Mary Marth (Visitor)
You can measure the greatness of a nation by the way it treats it animals.

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 12:46 — Loretta Kaloidis (Visitor)
Please pass the law to stop animal mills

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 19:07 — dawn schurich (Visitor)
its so horrible puppy mills. so many suffer all because of greed..

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 21:15 — ISABEL LOZANO (Visitor)
PLEASE STOP THIS PUPPY MILL FOR CATS AND DOGS THANKS

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 11:50 — Orietta G Weinstein (Visitor)
OLEASE PASS A LEGISLATION TO STOP. PUPPY AND CATS MILLS. LET US HAVE COMMON SENSE bECAUSE THEY ARE SO MANY UNWANTED PETS LEFT IN SHELTER THAT NEED TO BE ADOPTED.

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 23:58 — Linda Hansen (Visitor)
I totally agree that puppy mills need to be regulated or better yet, shut down completely. I have visited pet stores selling these poor pups and most are horrific. There are too many animals being dropped off at shelters and rescue places in need of good homes. My cat and dog are both rescues. I used to buy all registered, til I got my shelter pup and cat. Now, all mine will be resvues only. They are devoted.

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 18:10 — nancy ciaramella (Visitor)
Please stop Puppy Mill and Kitty Mills this is a horrendoues crime.

Sat, 03/02/2013 - 09:56 — Sonia Moya (Visitor)
Please stop puppy mill, that is an awful crime, putting helpless animals through this suffering just because of human greed.

Sat, 03/02/2013 - 02:27 — Dianne Gilmour (Visitor)
This should have never been allowed to begin in the first place. What is happening in this world. Absolutely disgusting people/behaviour.........SHAME on all of you that do not respect our gorgeous animal friends.

Sat, 03/02/2013 - 04:26 — Renee sizemore (Visitor)
Please help the animals... God made them for us to take care of not to harm or hurt them.

Sat, 03/02/2013 - 13:36 — Tami Glasmire (Visitor)
Please pass legislation to stop puppy and kitty mills. There are already too many unwanted, homeless animals in this world. I urge the legislaters to pass a bill regarding this issue. Thank you.

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 11:57 — Marianne Taylor (Visitor)
There are too many homeless animals...we don't need people breeding to bring more animals into the world for the sake of making a buck. This is not fair top these beautiful animals, they have no choice. We are their voice. Breeding should be stopped and so should puppy mills!

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 12:52 — Barbara Grimes (Visitor)
I couldn't agree more. Everyone thinks they can make a bunch of money and in the process breed the female to death and end up with unwanted animals that would not pass a veternarian inspection. What it does, in fact, is cost a person a lot more money then they spend...that is if they are concientous...and most are not. I say "No Puppy Mills".

Sat, 03/02/2013 - 10:03 — Candy MacDonald (Visitor)
I have said this for YEARS! Not only is this an issue of abuse but one of fiscal soundness. The unsuspecting person is duped into purchasing what he/she believes is a happy and healthy animal and before too long, thousands of dollars are spent either trying to keep the animal healthy and alive or on trainers and behaviorists attempting to help the emotional soul of the animal, an expected, passed-down side effect of a sentient being spending an entire life in a cage. WHY is it OK that a miller makes 3-4 times the money I make in one year, and I am a college educated individual?!? And why is it OK that here in OH, that same miller doesn't have to pay taxes??? I'm all for free enterprise, but not on the backs of living things and not when it's not fair to the rest of us!

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 15:10 — Doris Gianuca (Visitor)
Animals are not merchandise, they are inocent babies that deserve security, love and respect. Puppy mills are shameful !!!!!

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 12:02 — florence theodore (Visitor)
stop being so lazy and care for the aminals that can't speak for them selves.

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 12:27 — J Brinson (Visitor)
It is positively necessary to find a way to find these mills and put a stop to them. This is not only for the pets but for the people who are scammed at pet shops.

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 12:29 — J Brinson (Visitor)
Get out their and inspect these places. This is really a terrible example of what America stands for. Abuse in any form is not acceptable. Get out and inspect, period.

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 13:17 — Elena Singleterry (Visitor)
Animals are like children - helpless, trusting, children that never grow up and gain the ability to make other creatures suffer for the sake of monetary gain. Please pass te legislation that will force puppy mills to be more responsible and humane with the animals they breed and the ones they use for breeding (the most abused ones).

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 19:31 — Ana (Visitor)
Please stop this cat and puppy mills.This people only think of themself,and the money they make on this poor Animals, Please Stan and defend them.

Sat, 03/02/2013 - 21:44 — Samantha Bourdelier (Visitor)
Please stop cat and puppy mills out of existence!!! We treat our trash better then these criminals treat dogs and cats. Lets stop the slow torture and for some eventual death. Stop the heartache that creates such heartache that can only be brought on when you buy a cat or a dog for your child only to discover because they were raised at a cat or puppy mill are seriously ill and they have to watch that animal die in pain and misery. Is this what we want for our children? To me it shows a careless disregard for doing out business in the treating of precious animals who only want to give us love in return for the basic care and attention they so richly deserve. Samantha Bourdelier

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 16:55 — J.C. (Visitor)
Yes, these cruel and inhumane puppy mills must be stopped. I believe the way to stop them is to educate parents, teachers and children to the horrible conditions in which the animals are constantly bred and spend their entire lives in cramped, filthy cages. This is why I have written an illustrated children's book, titled: S.J. GOES HOME, which educates children to the suffering of the animals as the story is told from the perspective of a puppy mill dog.

Tue, 03/19/2013 - 22:28 — AnnMarie Sangemino (Visitor)
Hello Sam, Wow! This is what happened to me. How painful it was to try to save this tiny puppies life....Only for US (his name was Angel) to loose this fight with Angel taking his last breath of life just before looking into my eyes (as if to say goodbye to me)! I had previously went through too many losses in my life so I thought the best way to ensure my getting a healthy puppy was to go to a pet store. Because I needed the love and to be able to love a puppy. Not, go through another loss. In any case, I now will never go to a pet store again. You live and learn. Still have a hole in my heart. In any case, I fully support this and my only change would be for the number of 50 per year to be lowered to 10. AnnMarie Sangemino (Monroe, NJ)

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 13:24 — Phyllis MILLIKEN (Visitor)
Please stop the puppy mills from allowing them to sell puppies

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 14:22 — Sharon Raphael (Visitor)
The inhumane treatment of cats and dogs is something that needs to be addressed. Puppy mills need to be eliminated because the number of unwanted animals is growing thanks to such exploitation of animals.

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 14:48 — Mary Rausch (Visitor)
Puppy mills are cruel to both the animals and those who buy unhealthy animals.

Sat, 03/02/2013 - 02:41 — Sugei najera (Visitor)
PLEASE STOP THE PUPPY MILLS

Sat, 03/02/2013 - 10:14 — Candee Lovell (Visitor)
As an owner of rescues and strong advocate for stricter guidelines, inspections, licensing for puppy/kitty mills, I strongly encourage you to pass this law and start saving lives of those without a voice. Also, many consumers of these adorable animals are spending thousands upon thousands of unnecessary dollars due to problems with the dog or cat they purchased with rare diseases as a result of unhealthy breeding environments. This MUST stop. This is a business operated out of greed and no thought about the animal or the end result to the consumer.

Sat, 03/02/2013 - 20:21 — d lauro (Visitor)
Please help those animals in need.

Mon, 03/04/2013 - 01:08 — barbara diaz (Visitor)
animals should not be sold on line. animals should not be raised in small,filthy cages, or even in big, filthy cages. if congress wants to raise this issue again and be on the side of breeders just for the almighty dirty money it brings in for them--it's pathetic. when will our representatives grow a backbone. it's never too late.

Mon, 03/04/2013 - 09:26 — Lisa Ortega (Visitor)
Please make the owners of these puppy farms adhere to better conditions for these animals

Tue, 03/05/2013 - 17:12 — Gaye Munn (Visitor)
Plese stop puppy mills and over-breeding. We have plenty of dogs/cats to take care of and love now.

Wed, 04/03/2013 - 13:33 — Joana (Visitor)
They are very cruel to have animals incarcerated and denied the right to live a normal domestic life: to breathe the fresh air, to chase birds, to be nurtured right. It is unfair and disgusting. they are not machinery that may be used.... they are animals who have feelings like everyone else.

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 10:37 — Ginger (Visitor)
people must spay/neuter their pets and adopt from shelters, dont adopt from breeders

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 10:51 — Diana (Visitor)
When you go to a breeder or pet store you do not adopt, you BUY BUY BUY. Please do not use the word adopt when referring to breeeders. They are in for the MONEY, not the dogs.

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 12:31 — J Brinson (Visitor)
The biggest percentage I feel are dogs from puppy mills. Even the ones that have the so called papers. Go to rescue groups or animal shelters

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 21:12 — Rosemary Lowe (Visitor)
Your are so right. When there are so many millions of cats and dogs (and other domesticated animals as well) waiting for responsible homes, breeding is shameful. Adoption is the enlightened, humane way to go.

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 18:28 — penny (Visitor)
These are reputable people -- I have had a few of my clients figure out their "income". On average they spend about $1500-$2000 more each year than they bring in. Proper pre-breeding exams, medical care, spay/neuter of those not of highest quality and other expenses count up. I agree, Internet sales and pet shop sales should go away.

Mon, 03/04/2013 - 00:09 — Megan (Visitor)
Still, there shouldn't be any such thing as "hobby breeding" unless it is two consenting human beings. There are too many animals euthanized each day-healthy, perfectly loving creatures who are put down due to overpopulated shelters. These "friends" who are breeding as a "hobby" are only displaying pure selfishness and negligence by contributing to this problem. If they aren't profiting from it-as you indicate they aren't, why contribute to the problem by bringing more lives in to this world-which will directly result in the deaths of others?

Mon, 03/04/2013 - 20:26 — Susan Love (Visitor)
I couldn't agree more. Adopt, adopt, adopt and save lives!

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