Tell Wisconsin: Don't Support Dog Breeders

A new Wisconsin bill would raise the number of dogs that may be sold by unlicensed breeders from 25 to 100 in order to get a license. The sponsor of this bill, Rep. Don Pridemore (R-Hartford) says the new policy is meant to make it easier for smaller local breeders or "hobby breeders" to operate.

Every animal purchased is one less animal adopted from a shelter. With six to eight million dogs and cats entering shelters each year -- and only about half making it out alive -- breeding is just plain irresponsible. In fact, about one-quarter of the dogs in shelters are purebreds who were originally purchased but then abandoned.

This bill would contribute to America's companion animal overpopulation and possibly increase the number of animals euthanized. Tell Wisconsin legislators to reject this bill and send a very important message: Adopt!
Dear Wisonsin Congress Person,

Wisconsin Representative Don Pridemore recently introduced a bill that would raise the number of dogs that may be sold by breeders who don't have licenses from the state. The current limit for breeders who need licenses is 25, from a policy signed into law in 2009 by former Governor Jim Doyle, and this new policy would increase that number to 100.

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Governor Doyle's goal was to eliminate "puppy mills" where dogs live in abusive conditions and are forced to churn out litter after litter of puppies. Puppy mill dogs are typically kept in wire cages without protection from the heat and cold and in unsanitary, neglectful conditions. The puppies are sold to pet stores or directly to consumers.

Representative Pridemore says his intentions with this new bill are not to encourage puppy mills but to make it easier for smaller, local breeders or "hobby breeders" to operate.

The fact is that every animal purchased, whether from a puppy mill or breeder, is one less animal adopted from our overcrowded shelters. Six to eight million dogs and cats enter America's animal shelters each year, but only about half make it out alive. These shelters don't have enough room to accommodate all of the animals that enter the shelters as strays, rescues, and animals abandoned by their owners. Approximately one quarter of the dogs in shelters are purebreds who were originally purchased -- like those from breeders -- and then abandoned.

Every animal's life has value, and whatever Representative Pridemore's intentions may be, this bill would irresponsibly contribute to America's companion animal overpopulation. I urge you to reject this bill and to encourage animal adoption, rather than buying from a breeder, pet store or puppy mill, in the state of Wisconsin.
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