USDA: Don't Let Puppy Mill Dogs Languish In Deplorable Conditions

Puppy mill dogs are often confined to feces-covered wire cages that damage their paws, with inadequate water, food, or health care. The adults are forced to reproduce over and over again while their puppies are sold off by the breeders to unscrupulous dealers.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is in charge of creating and enforcing Animal Welfare Act regulations, which are supposed to protect dogs at puppy mills. But the care standards in the current regulations are obviously much too low, and dogs are suffering terribly.

That's why The Humane Society of the United States and partner groups filed a legal petition with the USDA, urging them to improve the standards of care for dogs in commercial breeding facilities.

We've asked that dogs at commercial breeding facilities be provided with more exercise, safer housing, and better vet care. Our request would also put limits on the number of times a dog can be bred and require breeders to work with rescues to find homes for retired or unwanted dogs rather than destroying them.

Sadly, months later, the USDA has still not yet responded to the legal petition. These dogs deserve better and it's up to us to pressure the department to do the right thing.

We can not allow the USDA to remain silent while innocent dogs languish in deplorable puppy mill conditions.

Sign the petition and urge the USDA to respond to The HSUS's legal petition to create better living conditions for dogs living in puppy mills!