PUPPY MILLS ARE A HUGE PROBLEM IN NORTH CAROLINA

There have been 20 puppy mill busts since 2011 in North Carolina -

1.   June 2011 - Franklin County - 25 dogs; 250 ducks, chickens and geese; 38 rabbits

2.   June 2011 - Caldwell County - 276 dogs of various breeds

3.   July 2011 - Perquimans County - 90 dogs of various breeds

4.   September 2011 - Lincoln County - 135 dogs of various breeds

5.   February 2012 - Stokes County - 160 dogs of various breeds

6.   March 2012 - Jones County - 88 dogs of various breeds

7.   May 2012 - Wilson County - 36 Maltese dogs

8.   July 2012 - Brunswick County - 150 small dog breeds

9.   August 2012 - Wilson County - 28 dogs (Great Danes and Mastiffs)

10. August 2012 - Pamlico County - 20 dogs, 1 cat, 1 ferret, 1 parrot

11. September 2012 - Person County - 60 dogs (mostly small breeds)

12. February 2013 - Sampson County - 138 dogs (all small breeds)

13. October 2013 - Pender County - 107 dogs of various breeds

14. November 2013 - Gates County - 40 dog, 9 horses, 75+ birds

15. March 2014 - Iredell County - 55 dogs (poodles and Maltese)

16. March 2014 - Duplin County - 47 dogs of various breeds

17. March 2014 - Hertford County -  60 dogs (Australian Shepherds)

18. June 2015 - Rutherford County - 54 dogs

19. September 2014 - Warren County - 17 dogs

20. October 2014 - Rutherford County - 49 dogs

** In 12 of these puppy mills, American Kennel Club (AKC) registered dogs were found. A problem that is already horrific on its own is compounded by the fact that an organization that should care about dogs - the AKC - is putting its stamp of approval on these cruel puppy mills. [Why would the AKC register dogs in these horrible conditions? To collect the registration fee. Their motive is profit]. 

THE SUFFERING OF DOGS IN NORTH CAROLINA PUPPY MILLS

The dogs found in the above puppy mills busts suffered from -

* Skin infections
* Eye diseases
* Rotting teeth and rotting jaw bones
* Tumors
* Horrible fur matting to the point where dogs could hardly move
* Living in tiny wire cages stacked on top of each other, covered in feces
* Living outside exposed to the bitter cold and extreme heat
* Limited food and water
* No veterinary care
* They receive little or no socialization and often exhibit severe behavioral and genetic abnormalities. When they no longer produce a profit, they are simply discarded or killed.

HOW IS THIS LEGAL IN NORTH CAROLINA?

There are NO LAWS on the books to protect dogs in commercial breeding facilities, unless they sell to research labs or pet stores. However, most puppy mill dogs are sold over the internet or in newspaper ads, and thus, they are not protected by any laws. 

Most states in the U.S. have laws to protect dogs in puppy mills, and North Carolina is one of the last states that still allows dogs to suffer in such cruel conditions. 

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE? - PASS HB 159!

HB 159 is the Commercial Dog Breeder Bill that we want the NC House and NC Senate to pass in 2015.

What will the bill do?

The bill ensures the humane care and treatment of dogs in the custody of large scale commercial breeders by creating MANDATORY standards of care -

> Sufficient food and clean water;
> Veterinary care;
> Sanitary and safe housing;
> Parasite prevention;
> Daily exercise.

Who is impacted by the bill?

The bill only impacts “commercial breeders,” defined as persons or entities which possess 10 or more adult intact female dogs and are engaged in the business of breeding those animals and selling their offspring for pets. Small breeders who have 10 or fewer adult breeding dogs will not be affected by the bill. Hunters, sporting, working and show kennels are exempt.

Will the bill save the state money? - YES!

From June 2011 through October 2014, 20 puppy mills were busted in North Carolina. The cost to clean up these puppy mills and provide medical care for the dogs (over 1,600) was over $800,000. This bill will save the state hundreds of thousands of dollars!

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO TO HELP?

Please sign and share this petition with your family, friends, and coworkers! Please post on Facebook, Twitter, and any other social media outlets.

LET'S MAKE 2015 THE YEAR THAT NORTH CAROLINA FINALLY PASSES A BILL WITH MANDATORY STANDARDS OF CARE FOR DOGS IN PUPPY MILLS!