[StBernard] Act To Bring Down Puppy Mills

[Westley Annis]

Puppy mills have been around for more than half a century. In the post-World
War II boom, more disposable income and leisure time met with farmers
actively searching for alternative "crops" -- a collision that led to the
phenomenon of the retail dog. Pet stores sprouted and multiplied as
money-minded individuals realized the irresistible appeal of "that puppy in
the window." 

With this new industry, along with previously existing ventures dealing with
living creatures, came abuses that necessitated new regulation. In 1966,
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Animal Welfare Act, which
became -- and remains -- the minimally acceptable standard for animal
treatment and care. 

The USDA is the primary party charged with the enforcement of the AWA. By
all reasonable standards, its performance has been grossly uninspired,
particularly in the area of commercial cat and dog breeding -- a.k.a. puppy
mills. 

Like a lot of legislation, the AWA came with a loophole: It allows
commercial breeders who sell puppies online and directly to the public to
escape licensing and regulation -- a problem that was compounded by the
advent and ensuing popularity of the Internet. 

Pending in Congress today, the 2011 Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act
closes that loophole. It brings all commercial dog breeders under federal
oversight, and it mandates daily exercise for puppy mill dogs -- most of
whom never see the outside of a cage. 

"The ASPCA has seen first-hand the unspeakable cruelty and horrific
conditions of puppy mills," said Cori Menkin, senior director of the puppy
mills campaign at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals. "The existing regulatory loophole allows many commercial breeders
to operate without a license and without any inspection -- meaning they are
not accountable to anyone for their breeding and care standards." 

"Thousands of animal lovers across the country are bringing the issue of
puppy mills directly to the president's attention," said Melanie Kahn,
senior director of the Puppy Mills Campaign for the Humane Society of the
United States. "The petition asks the president to close a loophole that
permits large-scale, commercial breeders who sell puppies online and
directly to the public to escape basic oversight and minimal animal care
standards." 

These animal welfare behemoths, along with hundreds of like-minded
organizations, are calling on the Obama administration to help put an end to
the puppy mill industry. On the local level, cities and municipalities such
as West Hollywood, Calif., and Austin, Texas, have out-and-out banned the
retail sale of dogs and cats. 

Here are some ways you can help: 

-- Email your U.S. representatives and senators today and ask them to
support and co-sponsor the PUPS Act. 

-- Visit wh.gov/gdb to add your name to the White House petition. 

-- Do not buy food, supplies or animals from any store or outlet that sells
companion animals. 

-- Do not order a dog or cat off a website. 

There are many valuable websites that list profiles of dogs and cats that
are in need of a good home, including the sites of most local animal
shelters, rescue groups and sanctuaries. In almost all cases, an in-person
visit is -- and should be -- required. 

Note: The difference between paying an adoption fee and buying a dog is
huge. An adoption fee helps subsidize the cost of shelter and basic care for
homeless and rescued animals. When you buy a dog from a pet store or order
one off a website, you are providing life-sustaining revenue to an industry
that breeds animals solely for profit and makes the goal of no more homeless
pets that much harder to reach. 

Woof! 

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Dog trainer Matthew "Uncle Matty" Margolis is the co-author of 18 books
about dogs, a behaviorist, a popular radio and television guest, and the
host of the PBS series "WOOF! It's a Dog's Life!" Read all of Uncle Matty's
columns at www.creators.com, and visit him at www.unclematty.com. Send your
questions to dearuncle.gazette at unclematty.com or by mail to Uncle Matty at
P.O. Box 3300, Diamond Springs, CA 95619.