The U.S. Department of Agriculture has proposed a positive change to the Animal Welfare Act that would require commercial dog breeders who sell puppies over the Internet, by mail or phone to have a federal license and be inspected just like breeders who sell to pet stores.
The rule change will not affect small, responsible breeders, because they typically sell puppies directly to people who visit them in person.
Hundreds of Internet-based puppy mill operations across the country have been escaping regulation for years because of this loophole, but that will change if this proposed rule is enacted.
Puppy mills are inhumane, commercial breeding facilities that produce puppies for the pet trade. Female breeding dogs live their entire lives in tiny cages without proper veterinary care, exercise or human interaction. Their puppies are often unhealthy and can carry infectious diseases. When dogs can no longer produce puppies, they are often discarded, killed or dumped at animal shelters for others to care for.
The Humane Society of the United States applauds the USDA for championing the welfare of puppies and the rights of citizens to acquire healthy, well-raised pets through this rule change.
BRIAN SHAPIRO
New York State director,
The Humane Society
of the United States
Woodstock
