Petition Response Update: Improving Regulation and Oversight of Commercial Breeders

Last year I signed a petition regarding commercial breeders and the treatment of animals.  A few days ago I received the following email:

Petition Response Update: Improving Regulation and Oversight of Commercial Breeders

Last year you participated in the White House’s We the People platform by signing a petition regarding commercial breeders and the treatment of animals.

We wanted to make sure that you knew about a new proposed rule that the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced this week and about an opportunity for you to weigh in. USDA is proposing to revise its definition of “retail pet store” to close a loophole that has threatened the health and humane treatment of pets sold sight unseen over the Internet and via phone- and mail-based businesses.

The proposed rule is open for public comment now on Regulations.gov until July 16, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. Click here to check out the rule and weigh in on this issue.

The current definition of “retail pet store,” was developed over 40 years ago and before the Internet existed, and some breeders selling pets are taking advantage of a loophole that improperly exempts them from the basic requirements of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The proposed rule will close this loophole, ensuring animals sold over the Internet and via phone- and mail-based businesses are better monitored for their overall health and humane treatment.

Take a minute to weigh in on this issue on Regulations.gov, and don’t forget to visit We the People to continue to engage with us about issues you care about.

Margot (Formerly #361), A Puppy Mill Survivor. ©Photo By Doreen Disbro

The ASPCA has also reached out to their supporters, asking for our help by responding to the USDA via their online form. This is what they had to say:

We need your help! Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a proposed rule to close a loophole in current law that has “threatened the health and humane treatment of pets sold sight unseen over the Internet and via phone- and mail-based businesses.” Please act now to make sure this important rule is implemented.

Currently, only breeders who sell dogs to pet stores or to puppy brokers are required to be licensed and inspected by the USDA. Due to the wording of the federal Animal Welfare Act—passed 40 years ago, before existence of the Internet—a large (and growing) population of commercial breeders has been able to escape federal licensing and regulation.

What this means is that in many cases, no one is checking up on breeders who sell puppies directly to consumers over the Internet. 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.

ASPCA experts have reviewed the USDA’s proposed rule—we support it, and have a few suggestions regarding how it could be made stronger. Please help us ensure that the Internet-breeder licensing loophole is closed!

I am on my hands and knees begging you to help bring an end to the endless suffering.  This is another step forward in helping us save the lives of puppy mill dogs all over the United States.  We need YOUR VOICE in YOUR WORDS by telling the USDA that this loophole MUST BE CLOSED!  Please.  PLEASE – take a few moments and make your voice heard!

You can comment HERE at Regulations.gov or you can also visit the ASPCA page HERE to comment. Either link will work – both are for the same issue and they will get your comment whether you visit the Regulations.gov link or the ASPCA link.  All I ask is that you PLEASE take the time to comment.  This is a serious issue that needs our input.  We stand strong in numbers and we CAN make a difference.