Stopping Puppy Mills in California

What Is a Puppy Mill?

A puppy mill, also known as a puppy farm, is a large scale dog breeding facility. The treatment of animals at puppy mills is often called into question. Specifically, these commercial breeding farms are known for their lack of medical care, and providing a proper diet for their dogs. The pups often do not receive the exercise and socialization they require at such a young age. Unfortunately, these large-scale breeding facilities also exist for other animals. For example, for cats, a breeding farm is referred to as a kitty mill. Believe it or not, an estimated 4000 puppy mills exist across the United States, which breed over half a million puppies per year.

Just think of all the homeless and stray dogs and cats out there. The last thing we need is people with the wrong intentions profiting off of the mistreatment of our dogs while at the same time contributing to the overpopulation problem.

How do We Improve the Treatment of Your Pet's Friends?

A bill is currently being juiced in California, The Responsible Breeder Act of 2009, that would take measures to curtail the cruelties done to animals in puppy mills and other mass breeding farms. What does bill do exactly? It would limit a breeder to keeping a maximum of 50 intact (a.k.a. not spayed or neutered) dogs or cats. The bill would also account for veterinarian offices and shelters, to which this restriction would not apply.

How Can You Help?

If you live in California, contact your legislators and ask them to support AB 241, also known as The Responsible Breeder Act of 2009. If you live outside California, encourage your legislators to enact such a bill. It's through voter support from people like you that similar laws have already passed in other states, including Virginia and Louisiana.