Today is National Puppy Day! If you’re lucky enough to have a pup—of any age—we know you already appreciate them, but today’s a great day to ponder their importance in your life and give them some extra love.
Because the bond between humans and dogs is so unique and beautiful, it’s often said that “we don’t deserve dogs.” If that sentiment rings true for you, we know you’d want to help ensure that all dogs are able to live their very best lives. That’s why the ASPCA fights so hard to take down the systems that enable cruel puppy mills to exist.
If you don’t know, a puppy mill is a commercial business that keeps adult dogs in confinement and forces them to make as many puppies as possible as quickly and cheaply as possible, like a factory. Puppy mills do not allow regular people to visit—the conditions would horrify any dog-lover, so they’re only able to exist by staying hidden from public view. They sell their puppies offsite and online, and are the people who supply pups to retail pet stores around the country through a pipeline of brokers and middlemen.
But there’s something you can do about this—especially if you live in New York or Florida!
New Yorkers, Shut Down the Puppy Mill Pipeline
A bill currently pending in the NY Legislature would prevent puppy mills all around the nation from supplying retail stores in New York, thereby severing the puppy-mill-to-pet-store pipeline. It would end the sale of puppies, kittens and rabbits in retail stores, but still permit stores to host adoption events. If you live in New York, use your voice right now to support this bill!
Floridians, Shut Down the Puppy Mill Pipeline
Over 70 local governments in the Sunshine State have passed ordinances aimed at ending puppy mill cruelty by prohibiting the sale of dogs in stores. Now a state bill seeks to end the retail sale of dogs and cats, meaning out-of-state puppy mills will longer be able to profit by selling their cruelly bred puppies to Florida’s pet shops (where they’re bought by unsuspecting consumers). If you live in Florida, use your voice right now to support this bill!
If you don’t live in New York or Florida, you can still help: Every American can and should urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture to do a better job of overseeing commercial puppy breeders. To get involved in honor of National Puppy Day, sign our petition today.
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