Maryland General Assembly Passed Anti-Puppy Mill Bill - National Humane Education Society

Paws Up!

To The Maryland General Assembly for passing a bill to ban the retail sale of puppies and kittens in pet shops.

According to a recent news article, the Maryland General Assembly has passed HB 1662 that would require pet stores to only sell dogs and cats from nonprofit animal welfare groups, animal shelters and licensed breeders. The bill was written to thwart the retail sale of animals bred in large-scale, inhumane breeding operations commonly referred to as puppy mills. The vast majority of puppies sold today in pet shops come from puppy mills which may operate states away from the actual shops. This bill differs from a similar law recently passed in California, because it allows pet stores to sell some commercially-bred puppies so long as the puppies were bred by local and licensed breeders with no past violations of the Animal Welfare Act. Though not as strong as the California law, this bill nonetheless greatly restricts the retail sale of commercially-bred dogs and cats.

Take action. Maryland residents, ask Gov. Larry Hogan to approve HB 1662. Feel free to use NHES’ sample action letter below.

Re: HB 1662 to ban retail sale of inhumanely bred puppies

Dear Governor Hogan,

I am a Maryland resident writing to ask that you please sign HB 1662 into law. This bill would inhibit pet stores in Maryland to sell puppies acquired from puppy mills. This bill would require pet stores to obtain dogs from animal rescues, animal shelters, or local, licensed breeder with no history of violations of the Animal Welfare Act.

Large-scale commercial breeders and backyard breeders, collectively referred to as “puppy mills,” house dogs in unsanitary living conditions that exhibit a gross lack of care. Breeding dogs and puppies are not afforded socialization, exercise, or basic veterinary care. When the puppies are eventually sold to consumers at a high mark-up, health problems caused by their lack of responsible breeding may quickly become evident to their owners. Meanwhile, breeding dogs are not likely to ever escape the mill. I hope you will support this law to protect dogs from this awful fate and promote pet adoption in Maryland.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]
[Your Address]