This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.

Time and again, money-hungry dog breeders have greased their way through inspections under the Animal Welfare Act. Now, new legislation is being considered to crack down on repeat offenders to help prevent senseless animal suffering in puppy mills. Please take action today to help make it happen! 

The Welfare of Our Friends (WOOF) Act, introduced by United States Representatives Fitzpatrick, Crist, Thompson, and McGovern, would amend and strengthen the Animal Welfare Act. This law would prohibit the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from licensing a dog dealer whose previous license has been suspended or revoked in the last ten years. H.R. 1002 would also apply to individuals attempting to operate through a new license acquired by someone else at the same address. Additionally, The WOOF Act will help prevent the spread of dangerous diseases to both dogs and humans by requiring dealers to pass veterinary and sanitation inspections before the USDA issues or renews their licenses. 

While this act may seem like common sense for a federal agency responsible for protecting animals and consumers, think again. Audits by the Office of the Inspector General have found notably negligent inspections by the USDA. These inspections result in routine license renewals, despite finding puppies kept in unsafe and filthy conditions while they are denied proper veterinarian care, and underweight animals. 

On many occasions, the USDA has put puppies and the public at risk. A horrific puppy mill in Seneca, Kansas was enabled to operate for decades despite repeatedly losing its license. Owners of the puppy mill reapplied for licenses under the names of several different family members at the same location, which allowed them to obtain new permits. In 2010, a USDA - licensed breeder in Kansas euthanized 1,200 dogs after canine distemper was found in puppies he sold to pet stores as far away as Wyoming. 

Puppy mills not only subject puppies to deplorable conditions, illness, and neglect; they also pose a health threat to humans. In September 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a disease outbreak investigation that found 118 people in 18 states were sick and hospitalized due to an antibiotic - resistant strain of Campylobacter infection linked to puppy mill puppies sold at pet stores. 

What You Can Do:

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.