Have you ever taken your dog to a "professional" dog trainer? You eagerly drive to the facility to drop off your beloved pet, thinking you are doing them a favor. This will strengthen your bond and will help keep them safe... right? That was not the case for a family who lost their furry family member at a well known training facility allegedly due to heat exhaustion. 

Have you ever brought your animal in to be groomed? It can be difficult to properly and thoroughly clean your animal from your own home. Your animal will feel fresh, light, and rejuvenated afterwards... right? That was not the case for a pet guardian in Tooele County whose dog was allegedly injured by an intoxicated pet groomer.

Have you ever taken advantage of a dog walking service? You have a late meeting at work and won't be home until late in the evening. Your animal will certainly need to get out outside before then. Luckily, a local organization offers to go to your home and pick your animal up to take them for a hike. Your dog will love that and you don't have to stress... right? That was not the case for the dog that was allegedly crammed into a small car with multiple other dogs and forced to ride on the lap of the driver.

We have a problem! Utah, unlike many other states, has virtually no state-level oversight for animal care facilities and businesses, including shelters, groomers, dog walkers, trainers, and more. This has led to a piecemeal approach to regulation that leaves both public and private animal care facilities without regulation or inspection and our state’s Animal Welfare Act largely unenforced.

Through research with various stakeholders, including but not limited to shelters, pet care business owners, rescues, municipal animal control, lawmakers, and the Utah Department of Agriculture, we have discovered the necessity of this legislation as a foundation on which to build animal welfare standards for the state.

Tell Utah decisionmakers that our animals deserve better and join the Humane Society of Utah in a legislative effort to push for statewide regulation of animal care facilities.