Stop Puppy Mills - Ideas for Change in America

What do you think is the most effective way to turn this idea into real policy? Add your suggestions here for how you think we should run an advocacy campaign to advance the idea – including the overall strategy, messaging, targets, and tactics.

Approach this from the standpoint that people reading this forum already agree with you on the importance of the issue, and are asking "What can we do to help make this a reality?"

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I wrote and coveredan organization known as "Paceful Pet Store Protests". They successfully shut down 2 pet stores that buy from puppy mills, forced another owner to sell tosomeone who doesn't use mills, and are protesting EVERY Sat. o #4. Rea about it here- http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-28441-Mesa-Progressive-Examiner~y2009m10d31-Peaceful-Pet-Store-Protests-sets-aim-at-Scottsdale-pet-store-puppymill

Suggested by Aaron Norcia on 11/17/2009 @ 09:16AM PT
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Obviously the laws in each state need to be tightened - the owners of the Texas puppy mill that HSUS just busted (where I volunteered) are facing a measly 1 year in jail and a $4,000 fine. After seeing the misery of the 550 animals in their alleged "care", where is the justice in that? Read my personal account of the week I spent helping those animals here:

http://thebutterflymind.com/ramblings_0124_texastears.htm

There is no reason and no need for puppy mills. Putting a limit on the number of dogs that a person can breed per year would go a long way in ending the suffering of animals.

Suggested by Tammy Beaudette on 08/24/2009 @ 07:40AM PT
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I think it is a great idea overall. The only problem is the USDA. The Dept. of Agriculture is the wrong dept. to look after the care of animals. They are in the business of over-seeing how we kill animals, and many look the other way. Lobbyists for puppy mills would love the USDA to oversee them. The USDA, is not a true independent source of protection of animals. The ranching, hunting, and food industry lobbyists have turned this into a non functioning Dept., taking its order from special interests and not the people!

Suggested by Paul Hester on 06/27/2009 @ 08:51AM PT
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I hate puppy mills. I think that a lot of vulnerable puppies end up there because there are not enough animal welfare sanctuaries, charities, or individual people that can home them. I think it would be a good idea to promote the idea of speying female dogs to curtail the population of puppies born. These puppies cannot always be homed, or put into an ethical sanctuary that will keep them until they are homed. Inevitably, they end up in these horrific puppy mills.
People need to be more responsible when they have pets, to stop unnecessary births that lead to an over population of puppies. I love all the animals of our planet and cannot bear to think of any animal being mistreated. We need to educate people to be responsible, so that too many puppies are not born, with no-one to home them, so they do not end up in puppy mills. If there are puppies that need homes, they should not be put into puppy mills. Every effort should be made to ensure that they are cared for by animal charities, sanctuaries etc. until they can be found loving homes.
From one who cares for all the animals of our world.
Let's get together and help them all.
SALLY D.

Suggested by SALLY DIX on 05/11/2009 @ 06:58PM PT
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No animal deserves the abuse they have to endure so someone can make a profit by running a puppy mill. If this is considered to be their business there should inspections, fines, jail time and removal of any animal found to be mistreated in any way along with the facility being permanently closed. I am sure the ASPCA can establish a code of conduct for the humane treatment to be provided each dog that is bred for business purpose.

Suggested by Rose P on 03/21/2009 @ 05:48PM PT
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Here's a fun and easy way to put an end to puppy mills: Host a party! Seriously. The Humane Society Legislative Fund is hosting a nationwide house party on April 19 to get folks all over the country educated and energized about this issue. Go to the Party Animals site to get more info at http://partyanimals.fund.org. HSLF is on Change.org too, and have posted about this there as well: change.org.hslf.

Suggested by Colleen Crinion on 03/17/2009 @ 03:40PM PT
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Found no other way to make my suggestion. Opened change.org to make a suggestion on another issue, but when I did, saw a petition on horses with deadline for petitions today. Signed that one and tried to sign others, under horses, only to find out that it was not easy to find a way to make my suggestion. I was delighted with the puppy mill issue, as I am strong on all animal-rights, and protections issues. This includes an investigation into the BLM's handling of issues concerning horses vs ranchers.

Anyway, regarding the other horse issues that I was too late finding (and other animal issues), I think it's a matter of not being plugged in solidly enough with this site, have not checked into change.org as often as I should have, but on the other hand, did not see emails from this site on petitions, etc. - which I always follow up on.

I was happy to see that the follow up list of 25 issues that did not make it to the top ten, would still be considered for actions at some soon time (hopefully), in the future. All the animal rights and protections issues (including endangered species) are not frivolous, considering the dire issues that face us, because these issues fit into the economy, Global Warming, and a more humane society.

I would like to receive emails, if that is possible on all petition issues. I am in touch with Sierra Club, Planned Parenthood, and many other organizations - where I do sign petitions - but with this indirect line to the President of the United States, I would hope to be kept informed about voting, and any movement by the people that it's possible for me to sign onto. Thanks for all you are doing....Richard Trupp

Suggested by richard trupp on 01/22/2009 @ 09:24AM PT
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I should clarify, I think all breeders should follow these laws, but be regulated by animal control or ASPCA officers rather than the USDA to keep their respective workloads in balance.

Suggested by Nick Rasmussen on 01/17/2009 @ 09:20AM PT
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Why limit this to the major breeders? Should some dogs be allowed to be abused, and some not? No one should be allowed to breed and sell puppies if they cannot care for the dogs properly.

Suggested by Nick Rasmussen on 01/17/2009 @ 09:16AM PT
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The dog walking idea should only be short term until we have a law of no kennaling. That is very imoortant. But what I would like to see is all our dogs free to roam aound in a dog run of some kind. This will give them the socializing they will need.

Suggested by Jennifer Driskel on 01/16/2009 @ 02:43PM PT
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