California the First State to Ban the Sale of Puppy Mill Dogs

Puppy Mill -noun

derogatory

1. an establishment that breeds puppies for sale, typically on an intensive basis and in conditions regarded as inhumane

On October 14th, 2017, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law legislation that prevents the sale of commercially raised dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet stores across the state of California. The law also encourages partnerships that promote the adoption of homeless pets. The bill passed the California legislature Sept. 14. To date, 36 jurisdictions in California – including the cities of Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, and San Francisco – have enacted similar ordinances, and the signing of A.B. 485 makes California the first state in the nation to enact a statewide prohibition on pet store sales of dogs from puppy mills. The law goes into effect January 1st, 2019!

If you have ever seen a cute little puppy in the window of a store, statistically speaking that puppy probably came from a puppy mill. According to a Study performed by the Humane Society of the United States.

• 2.04 million Estimated number of puppies sold annually who originated from puppy mills – USDA-licensed and non-USDA licensed
• 10,000 Estimated number of puppy mills in the U.S. (both licensed and unlicensed)
• 3 million Estimated number of dogs and cats euthanized by shelters every year in the U.S.

What does this mean?

It means great things for the puppy, but horrible things for your puppies parents. To maximize profit female dogs are bred at every cycle starting with their first. This means a 6-month-old can become pregnant. Puppy mills usually house dogs in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, without adequate veterinary care, food, water, and socialization. This means this mother dog sees no grass, eats inadequate food and more times than not delivers dead or sick puppies. The fathers are treated even worse. Many times housed together they are grabbed out and thrown into another kennel with females, then another, then another. They are often fed less and are less valuable, therefore treated worse than the females. Oro, a small chihuahua, was saved from an Amish Pennsylvania Puppy Mill. Puppy Mills occurs all over the country but mainly in the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Iowa. With not a tooth in his head and a stage 4 heart murmur Oro was deemed unusable anymore because the farmer was “getting out of chihuahuas and into Maltipoos, more money…” Understanding where your new puppy is coming from is half the battle. Many online sites are puppy mill sites. Many “Farms” hide things from the “family pet” that is advertised. This Puppy Mill Awareness month make yourself or someone you love aware of this horrible existence so all dogs can live a happy healthy life!