Companion Animal Breeding
Is Black's Bill Still Under Consideration?
Update Jan. 27, 2012: Virginia state Sen. Dick Black has announced that he has pulled the bill, S.B. 610. Animal welfare advocates and Virginia residents mounted strong opposition to the bill. BUT, Virginia Voters for Animal Welfare notes the bill appears to remain on the docket, implying Black's claim to have pulled the bill was simply a ploy. The bill could well be taken up this Thursday, Feb.
New Hampshire Bill Targets Dog Breeders
New Hampshire Senate Bill 370 targets dog breeders except "hobby or show" dog breeders that keep no more than 10 dogs that they breed in order to sell their offspring. The bill does not apply to pet stores which are typically where puppy mills sell their dogs to the public. The bill also contains a provision apparently exempting dogs bred, raised or sold for hunting.
Help Stop Challenge to 2008 PA Dog Law
Update Nov. 11, 2011: H.R. 89 is now scheduled for a vote as early as Monday, November 14, 2011 by the full Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Can APHIS Improve Enough to Stop Puppy Mills?
Update Oct 1, 2011: Since the scathing 2010 OIG audit of APHIS' lax and ineffective regulation of dog breeding facilities, the agency has issued APHIS' Enhanced Animal Welfare Act Enforcement Plan.
The agency says it has stepped up the number of enforcement actions and increased monetary sanctions.
A Clean Puppy Mill is Not Nearly Enough
A new groundbreaking study published in last month's Journal of Applied Animal Behavior Science (attached below for downloading) confirms that dogs held in puppy mills suffer psychological damage that leaves emotional scars after they are removed from the puppy mill.
Advocates Unite to Save PA Puppy Mill Law
Except it's not funny.
Shutting Off Sales Outlets for Commercial Mass Breeders
Update September 23, 2011: Toronto, Ontario's city council has approved a measure to prohibit retailers "including any person or business that sells more than 10 dogs each year", from obtaining animals from any source except shelters, rescues or people who have surrendered their animals.
The idea is to shut down sales of dogs and cats raised in puppy or cat mills. It is estimated more than 90% of dogs and cats sold in pet stores are from such mills.
