PETITION CLOSED

  • The time period for signing this petition has ended.
Stop Internet Puppy Scams
  1. Signatures
    466 out of 500
    Petitioning
    1. Your State Senate (+ 1 other)
      Petitioning
      close
      • Your State Senate
      • Your State House
  2. Created By
    Stephanie Feldstein
    Ypsilanti, MI
About this Petition Petition Letter Petition Updates

The Better Business Bureau recently said they were unable to resolve more than half of the complaints lodged against dog breeders in Texas. One of the main reasons was because the transaction had taken place via the internet and they were unable to track down the breeder. The BBB warns, "As the puppy industry continues to grow, consumers may encounter more and more unscrupulous breeders."

The reports of people who end up with severely ill puppies or who pay for a puppy via the internet and never hear from the so-called breeder again are becoming more and more common.

The USDA only regulates commercial breeders, but those who sell to individuals or sell via the internet are essentially unregulated. For years, the BBB, along with the American Kennel Club and animal welfare organizations like the ASPCA, have warned against internet puppy scams, but it remains an increasing problem.

Ask your state to update their regulations and improve enforcement for unscrupulous breeders and online puppy advertisements.

Photo credit: ngader

Recent Signatures

Protect Consumers from Internet Puppy Scams

Greetings,

The Better Business Bureau, the American Kennel Club, the ASPCA and several other organizations have issued warnings about unscrupulous breeders on the internet. Puppy-buyers are falling prey to internet scams where they end up with severely ill dogs or they send their money and never hear from the supposed breeder again.

Recently, the Better Business Bureau revealed that more than half of the complaints lodged in Texas in the past three years against breeders remain unresolved, largely because they are unable to track down the breeders who fall outside any regulatory agency. It's the same story across the country.

Online puppy sales are not regulated by the USDA or any other federal agency. It's up to the states to protect consumers and animals from these unscrupulous breeders and scammers. Like most businesses, the puppy-selling business has been changed by the internet.

I urge you to create legislation that makes it possible to regulate and inspect breeders who advertise online, as well as enforce laws that encourage responsible breeding practices.

Thank you.

[Your name]

Press Inquiries