Ban sales of puppy mill pets

It is time for Maine to stop supporting the large scale breeding industry (aka puppy mills) by buying pet shop puppies and kittens.

L.D. 335 HP 229 is “An Act To Prohibit The Sales Of Dogs And Cats In Pet Shops” This bill will prohibit Maine pet shops from selling puppies and kittens that have not been born and raised by the pet shop proprietor. The prohibition does not apply to a public or private charitable nonprofit shelter, humane society, or rescue organization, a pet shop where a dog or cat owned by a public or private organization excepted by the law is being offered for adoption or a pet shop that is selling a cat or dog that was born and raised by the owner of the pet shop in a separate facility.

Documents obtained from the Maine Department of Animal Welfare have shown 95 percent of all pups and kittens sold in our Maine pet shops are obtained from out-of -tate, inhumane, large-scale breeding facilities (aka puppy mills) where the parents are kept in unsanitary cages, without nutritious food, veterinary care, and protection from the elements, many breeders with repeat violations and many not licensed by the USDA. Pet shops will deny any wrongdoing, but facts are facts.

I urge everyone reading this to please take a moment and contact the Committee of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry as the hearings for this proposed bill will start very soon. You may call or email the members of this committee to show your support for this bill and simply ask for an “ought to pass” vote. You can contact them by following this link: http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/jt_com/acf.htm. The phone number for each state representatives is 800-423-2900 and state senators 800-423-6900.

Please join Maine Citizens Against Puppy Mills on Face Book to get more information.

Lynne Fracassi

Casco

Founder, Maine Citizens

Against Puppy Mills