Pet Shop Puppies Linked to Recent Outbreak of Drug-Resistant Bacteria is Another Reason to Adopt Not Stop

Pet shop puppies in the United States have been linked to 30 cases of recent illness. According to Sky News, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is looking at an outbreak of campylobacter jejuni, an illness that is resistant to antibiotics.

The outbreak is happening in 13 states, including Ohio, Minnesota and Florida. Public health officials found that 88% of those infected had been in contact with a puppy. Age ranges affected include 8 months to 70 years. No one has died but four people are hospitalized. The illness has been reported throughout 2019.

The “puppy contact” occurred in a pet shop, according to those that fell ill. Five employees of the Petland petshop chain have been infected. Petland said it has followed protocols and that multiple cases were in states where it did not have stores. The CDC recommends hand washing thoroughly with soap and water after touching a puppy.

Dr Jeanette O’Quin, a clinical assistant professor at Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, said that most cases were linked to food, but in the case of puppies, “Puppies from different breeding kennels get mixed together, they’re usually housed in close proximity to each other and they’re often stressed, so they’re more likely to get sick and easily spread the illness.”

The main message here is to adopt, don’t shop! Finding or petting puppies at pet stores supports this cruel industry.

Sign this petition calling for an end to puppy mills nationwide!

Learn more about adopting pets and why pet stores are cruel in One Green Planet. Check out these articles:

• 10 Amazing No-Kill Animal Shelters in the U.S.
• Things to Consider Before Adopting Your Next Pet
• Want to Help Homeless Cats and Dogs in Animal Shelters? 5 Simple Ways to Get Started
• These Heartwarming Before and After Pictures of Adopted Rescue Animals Will Make Your Day
• 5 Ridiculous Myths About Shelter Pets
• The Cost Difference Between a Rescue Dog and Puppy Mill Dog
• How Undercover Investigations Show Us the Sad Truth Behind Pet Stores
• Think You’re ‘Saving’ That Puppy From a Pet Store? Think Again…

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