1. Animal AdvocacyAnimal Advocacy
Puppy MillsPuppy Mills
Valerie A. Lang, J.D., M.L.S.Valerie A. Lang, J.D., M.L.S.

2. What is aWhat is a
“Puppy Mill”“Puppy Mill”
??

3. Merriam Webster defines as:Merriam Webster defines as:
Main Entry:Main Entry: puppy millpuppy mill
Function:Function: nounnoun
Date: 1973Date: 1973
a commercial farming operation in whicha commercial farming operation in which
purebred dogs are raised in largepurebred dogs are raised in large
numbersnumbers

5. So what is this all about…So what is this all about…
 Each year American consumers purchase
dogs from unregulated dealers who sell
animals from their premises. Many of the
animals are sold through newspaper
advertisements and via the Internet, which
means the purchaser can't see the
conditions in which the dogs live.

7.  U.S. animal sheltersU.S. animal shelters
euthanize 3 million to 4euthanize 3 million to 4
million cats and dogsmillion cats and dogs
every year, and yet petevery year, and yet pet
industry statistics showindustry statistics show
that about one third ofthat about one third of
the nation's 11,000 petthe nation's 11,000 pet
stores continue to sellstores continue to sell
puppies.puppies.

12. Puppy Mill HistoryPuppy Mill History
 Decades-old industryDecades-old industry
 Pet store original sales channelPet store original sales channel
 Pet store decline and reboundPet store decline and rebound

16. Common problems with puppy millCommon problems with puppy mill
dogsdogs
 ParasitesParasites
 URI/pneumonia (puppies)URI/pneumonia (puppies)
 GiardiaGiardia
 ParvoParvo
 EarsEars
 TeethTeeth
 SkinSkin
 Kidney and liver problems (puppies)Kidney and liver problems (puppies)

18. Animal Welfare ActAnimal Welfare Act
 In 1966, Congress passed the AWA to, in
part, ensure that breeders provide
humane treatment to animals in their care.
 AWA requirements include adequate housing,
ample food and water, reasonable handling,
basic disease prevention, decent sanitation,
and sufficient ventilation.

19. The Animal Welfare Act…The Animal Welfare Act…
 ……which includes puppy mill-relatedwhich includes puppy mill-related
standards and rules, is an administrativestandards and rules, is an administrative
law—distinct from animal cruelty laws-law—distinct from animal cruelty laws-
which are criminal laws.which are criminal laws.
 Commercial kennels that violate these kennelCommercial kennels that violate these kennel
standards can be cited, similar to howstandards can be cited, similar to how
restaurants that violate health codes can berestaurants that violate health codes can be
cited.cited.

20. But it’s against the law!??But it’s against the law!??
 Typically, commercial kennel owners thatTypically, commercial kennel owners that
violate the cruelty laws of a state areviolate the cruelty laws of a state are
subject to criminal charges, but lawsubject to criminal charges, but law
enforcement cannot always obtainenforcement cannot always obtain
probable causeprobable cause to enter a kennel toto enter a kennel to
identify cruelty violations.identify cruelty violations.
 Source: ASPCASource: ASPCA

22.  So, the United States Department of
Agriculture regulates (through licensing
and inspection) "commercial" breeding
kennels.
 A "commercial" breeder is an operation with
more than three breeding females that sells
dogs or cats to wholesale dealers
(middleman).

24. Puppy Mills
Dealers (Brokers)
(Exempt from USDA (federal)
licensing and
inspections if selling
to the public)
It is the USDA’s position
that these dealers are
retail pet stores (unless selling
to research, a dealer, or an
exhibitor).
Can also be
Puppy Mills
Pet Store
(Retail Dealer)
(Excluded from AWA (federal)
minimum
humane
handling requirements)
Large Scale
Commercial
Breeders
“Wholesalers”
and
“Internet
Puppy Mills”
Regulated
by USDA
Licenses and
Inspections
Public
Puppy Mill ChainPuppy Mill Chain Broker
Wholesaler
Research Facility
Other Pet Dealer

25. Class B Dealer
(Subject to USDA
Licensing and
Inspections)
C.C. Baird
Dealing Dogs ChainDealing Dogs Chain
Laboratories
Institutions
Other Dealers for
Research
Testing
Education
Bunchers
Flea Markets
Auctions
Individuals
Pounds
Shelters
Other Dealers

27. The "Retail Pet Store" ExemptionThe "Retail Pet Store" Exemption
ProblemProblem
 The USDA has never required dealers
who sell their animals directly to the public
to apply for licenses, regardless of the size
of the operation.
 It is the USDA's position that these
dealers are retail pet stores.

29. Why is this significant?Why is this significant?
 The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) excludes
"retail pet stores" from its minimum
humane care and handling requirements!
 Many think that a person breeding animals
on his own premises and selling them
directly to consumers is not a "retail pet
store.“

30.  Puppy mills can get around USDA
licensing requirements by selling directly
to consumers, and many simply rely on
the limited reach of the law—with so few
inspectors and only minor fines in place,
it's often easy for puppy mills to stay in
business.
 Pet Lemon Laws – some states make pet
stores financially responsible for sick
animals purchased from them

31. A good breeding facility law:A good breeding facility law:
 applies toapplies to all breeding operationsall breeding operations with animals or animalwith animals or animal
sales numbering over a specified threshold.sales numbering over a specified threshold.
 requires arequires a licensing fee and pre-inspectionlicensing fee and pre-inspection..
 includesincludes routine, unannounced inspectionsroutine, unannounced inspections at least twiceat least twice
yearly.yearly.
 is enforced by an agency withis enforced by an agency with adequate fundingadequate funding andand
properly trainedproperly trained and tested staff.and tested staff.
 rotates inspectorsrotates inspectors to cover different areas of the state.to cover different areas of the state.
 is equipped withis equipped with strong penaltiesstrong penalties when facilities are inwhen facilities are in
repeated non-compliance, including but not limited torepeated non-compliance, including but not limited to
cease and desist orders.cease and desist orders.

32. EducationEducation

36. Warning SignalsWarning Signals
 Wants cash paymentWants cash payment
 Won’t let you visit the kennel and meetWon’t let you visit the kennel and meet
mom and dadmom and dad
 Meets you somewhere else forMeets you somewhere else for
“convenience”“convenience”
 No AKC papersNo AKC papers
 Stops answering phone or emailsStops answering phone or emails

37. Puppy Mill SolutionsPuppy Mill Solutions
 Apply care standards to both licensed andApply care standards to both licensed and
unlicensed facilitiesunlicensed facilities
 Authorize Ag. & Mkts. to enter premises toAuthorize Ag. & Mkts. to enter premises to
assure complianceassure compliance
 Put inspection reports onlinePut inspection reports online
 Require advertisements to include nameRequire advertisements to include name
and addressand address
 Require Ag. & Mkts. to report cruelty andRequire Ag. & Mkts. to report cruelty and
neglect to local authorities for follow-upneglect to local authorities for follow-up

38. Toronto Takes Charge.Toronto Takes Charge.