Petition the state of Indiana to introduce a state bill to ban the retail sale of dogs and cats in Indiana. Puppy mills are prevalent in our state and pet stores act as a front to cover up the terrible conditions their puppies and kittens are bred in. Simply google searching pet stores in our area shows comments from people who have bought these pets saying that the health of these animals is subpar and the conditions they are housed in at the pet stores is inhumane. These pet stores also push customers to apply for a credit card to purchase the puppy or kitten at extremely high interest rates so they can further take advantage.

Most recently, New York has acted to ban the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in their state. I am asking Indiana to introduce new legislation to ban the retail sale of dogs and cats.

Cities and counties are taking it upon themselves to create an ordinance to ban retail sales of dogs and cats but it’s time for statewide action. In our state, 18 cities and 3 counties have passed ordinances-this is in the interest of the citizens of Indiana. Let’s support the municipalities that have taken action and get legislation in place to ban pet stores statewide. 

Puppies and kittens should not pay bills. These pet stores are arguing that selling pet supplies alone is not enough to stay afloat. Puppies are not a profit margin! They argue that pet stores are just innocent small businesses that couldn’t survive without selling dogs and cats. Petsmart revenue is 7 Billion. Petland revenue is 50 Million. Stop the excuses. Puppies and kittens shouldn’t be bred for profit! Puppy sales were used to fund Senate Bill 134 (SB 134) in our state which would have prevented cities from passing bans on pet stores. Indiana lawmakers are currently trying to pass HB 1412 which would void all of the local ordinances that have been passed. Puppy sales should not fund lawyers and lobbyists working to protect puppy mills and our local ordinances should not be undone to benefit puppy mills.

Who protects puppy mills? Petland-buys from puppy mills and uses funds to pay for lobbyists and attorneys, Indiana Council for Animal Welfare-a puppy mill front group, ICAW spokesperson Jonathan Lawler, and the AKC-gets paid every time a puppy mill registers a purebred dog

Indiana did not pass SB 134 because we do not want to protect puppy mills! We want to take the next step to ban pet stores selling dogs and cats. This is reflected by at least 21 municipalities that have enacted such an ordinance. Indianapolis has passed this ordinance and it’s time for the state to follow in support!