Pet shops typically acquire their dogs and cats from inhumane commercial breeding facilities, often called "puppy mills" or "kitten mills." Pet stores are a preferred sales outlet for puppy and kitten mills because they allow the cruelty at the mills to remain hidden from consumers.While pet stores may claim that they obtain animals from small-scale, humane breeders, the reality is that
pet stores cannot obtain dogs from responsible breeders because responsible breeders simply do not sell puppies to pet stores—responsible breeders want to meet their puppy buyers in person.
Although commercial dog breeding facilities are inspected by the USDA under Animal Welfare Act (AWA) regulations,
the standards of care are very low.
The USDA standards:
- allow commercial breeders to keep dogs in cramped, stacked, wire cages for their entire lives
- do not require that dogs be regularly let outside of their cages for exercise, nor do they mandate socialization
- allow dogs to be kept in extreme temperatures for prolonged periods of time
- allow females to be bred as early and often as possible and let personnel without veterinary training perform surgical births
- do not require breeders to vaccinate dogs from many highly infectious deadly diseases or to provide regular veterinary care allow puppies to be taken from their mothers at very young ages, exposing them to a range of behavioral and health issues
- allow puppies to be taken from their mothers at very young ages, exposing them to a range of behavioral and health issues
These proposed bills prohibit the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits from pet shops unless the animals come from shelters or rescue organizations.
While California, Maine, Maryland, Illinois, New York, Oregon, and Washington, as well as more than 400 municipalities nationwide have passed similar laws,
there is concern among neighboring states that those businesses may move across the border when New York's law takes effect this year. Tell Massachusetts lawmakers, it's time to stop letting pet stores support inhumane commercial breeding facilities.
Ban the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet shops! Dear Legislator,
Pending legislation would prohibit the sale of puppies, kittens, and rabbits in pet shops, unless the animals are from shelters or rescue organizations.
Typically, pet shops obtain animals from substandard breeding facilities, which results in consumers unknowingly purchasing sick or genetically-compromised pets. The standards of care at these facilities are very low – USDA standards allow commercial breeders to keep dogs in cramped, stacked, wire cages for their entire lives. For example, dogs do not have to be regularly let outside of their cages for exercise or get socialization. Dogs can be kept in extreme temperatures for prolonged periods of time. Females can also be bred as early and often as possible without limitations. Massachusetts state records consistently document complaints from across the Commonwealth.
State and federal records have also demonstrated that puppies from the worst "puppy mills" in the country have been sold to Massachusetts consumers via pet shops. These bills thus protect both animals and consumers, while having no impact on responsible breeders.
Many of the state's pet shops are already in compliance with this legislation; they do not sell puppies or kittens. Pet shops that do sell these animals can shift to a humane business model, which has proven successful in our state and others, which involves partnering with shelters and rescues and providing supplies and services to pet owners.
Sincerely,
[Name]
