Puppy Mill Truck—About the USDAMany of the dogs and cats that find themselves at a rescue have been seized from puppy mill caught in illegal activity, such as animal abuse or neglect. It then becomes the burden of the rescue to nurse these animals to health and give them medical attention. |
About the U.S.D.A. and PuppiesWhat comes to mind when you see those initials?
Your first thought is correct. The United States Department of Agriculture. The department that stamps our meats and many other consumer products as having been inspected.
WELL GUESS WHAT ... They are also the department that's responsible for regulating and licensing dog breeders and their brokers and those responsible for the transportation of puppies to market........Puppies .......considered just other pieces of meat. Could anything be more absurd?
We all know there are never enough inspectors to cover this massive barbaric pregnancy for profit puppy mill industry.
APHIS.....Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services. They are to provide standards of humane care and treatment of animals, under the USDA they are in charge of regulating commercial breeders and enforcing AWA...the Animal Welfare Act of 1966. Under the AWA, only certain large scale commercial breeders are required to be licensed and inspected by the USDA.
The AWA is enforced by the USDA and federal law governs the handling, treatment and transportation of commercially bred dogs.
There are approximately 70 inspectors for over 10,000 facilities. They are not only responsible for inspecting puppy mills but also for inspecting zoos, research facilities, circuses, etc., etc.
Can we guess why so many mills are now only inspected every 2 to 3 years?
They now do a Risk Based Inspection. USDA records show that licensed breeders who have multiple and repeated violations continue without fine or termination of license "for even a short period of time". They just keep breeding and selling, selling and breeding in the most cruel fashion.
USDA license is only required if there are four or more breed-able females. The government considers puppy farms as an agriculture commodity.
USDA, enforceable standards are: Animals are to be kept clean - healthy proper shelter - sufficient food and water. YET! These are the most violated standards.
Unless the breeder sells puppies to pet stores, they aren't even "regulated" by the USDA !!
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No Play, No Vet Care, Wire Cage Injuries, Animal Cruelty, Animal Over-PopulationDue to lack of state laws and regulations, puppy mills are becoming an epidemic in Wisconsin.Central Wisconsin is becoming particularly bad though Missouri has had the greatest number of mills over the years. |
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This website has been written/and or edited by Gisele Veilleux and is endorsed and promoted by The Dog Liberator. For technical questions about this website, email GiseleVeilleux@earthlink.net |
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STOP The Mass Production of Dogs Video by Gisele Veilleux |
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Mother and Her Pups end up at a high-kill shelter where at least she gets better care than in a Puppy Mill. Photo by Carol Bowman-Henderson, New Mexico |
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More unwanted Puppies—There simply are no available homes for them. Photo by Carol Bowman-Henderson, New Mexico |
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Emaciated Pure Breed at a High-Kill Shelter Photo by Carol Bowman-Henderson, New Mexico |
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Successful Adoption—Dog Waits for His Owner Photo by Carol Bowman-Henderson, New Mexico |
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Now Way to Live Puppy Mills sell their kittens and puppies to pet stores for $5—$10 each. Pet Stores sell them to you for hundreds. Photo by Carol Bowman-Henderson, New Mexico |
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“I come at the issue from the perspective that whenever you can cost someone business (pet stores, pet shops, puppy mills, and dog farms), it weakens them and makes it more and more difficult for them to keep going.....if enough people become aware and stop getting dogs from stores and mills, there will be much less of them as well as a "terrible stigma" attached to operating or being involved in any way with such a thing.......No, there is no federal law against puppy mills but many states are cracking down on them......the more awareness there is the more people will demand something be done..........right now in Wisconsin we are trying to get a law passed where you need to be licensed and inspected if you sell 25 dogs in a year....this will put a cramp on the mills........I see public awareness as the most important thing to get the mills stopped.” Jim Long |
