Every year in America, it is estimated 2.1 million puppies are sold that originated from puppy mills, while 3 million dogs are killed every year in our nation's shelters because there aren't enough adoptive homes.

Ethical and reputable breeders typically do not send their dogs to pet shops because puppies in pet stores are separated from the mother much earlier than they should be. Ethical breeders know puppies must remain with mom to prevent behavioral issues, and they want to stay in contact with their litters. They carefully inspect and select each home the puppies go to, something a pet shop does not do. 

The sad and inhumane life conditions in puppy mills have been widely exposed and it is known that almost HALF of mill pupies are purchased by pet shops,  chains and superstores. Investigators routinely find ill, underweight, and abused animals in these pet stores. 

90% of pet shop dogs were born in puppy mills.

This is affecting our County:
https://www.princewilliamtimes.com/manassas-police-seize-puppies-from-old-town-manassas-pet-shop/article_2d2bbc9a-8706-11e9-ad6f-4ffa9e4533d1.html

This is what dogs endure to be sold at pet shops: 
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVyFSTYY7zg

THE DOG OF THE PICTURE:  This poor dog, a Yorkie, was rescued from a puppy mill. Sadly, she didn't make it. The damage done to her body over the years from over breeding, no vet care, lack of proper food, living in a tiny wire cage, and never seeing the light of day or experiencing the feel of grass under her feet, was too great.She was a mom of countless puppies that the puppy millers sold for years. They had her locked in a tiny cage. She never went for a walk. She spent her whole life giving birth.
Look at the state she's in.
Look at her hair, nails, and especially her mouth. The exploitation that she suffered marked her for life, and, indeed, cost her her life. She never got to experience love or a kind, human touch.
She was herself once a beautiful puppy that unscrupulous people made into what she looks like now. Yorkshire terrier puppies came from this dog, the toy breed that people bought as gifts.
Every purchase adds to their suffering.

We must stop this. We can do better! Join us and ask our Board to ban the sale of cats and dogs in Prince William County.