Every year, the Humane Society of the United States (“HSUS”) puts out its “Horrible Hundred” report, which draws attention to 100 puppy mills around the country.  Puppy Mills are large breeders that mistreat dogs to maximize profits.  They keep dogs in cramped, dirty cages, where the dogs are unable to get sufficient exercise and often suffer from untreated injuries and disease outbreaks.

The puppy mills on the Horrible Hundred list are especially . . . horrible.  Reports show that cages are covered in urine and feces, dogs are unable to turn around in their crates, dogs are emaciated, and dogs suffer from a range of diseases.  But the scariest part of the list is that every year, a large portion of the 100 breeders retain licenses from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).  In fact, the Humane Society gathers a good portion of its information about these breeders from the USDA itself, which publicizes inspection reports.

Some states are taking their own steps to stop puppy mills.  For example, retail pet sale bans prohibit pet stores from selling commercially-bred animals.  And according to the ASPCA, “[c]lose to 300 U.S. cities and counties have passed retail pet sales ban legislation, and California and Maryland made history in 2017 and 2018, respectively, as the first states to do so.”  But the USDA continually fails to shut down puppy mills—even mills the USDA cites for repeated violations.

Sign this petition telling the USDA to enforce its regulations and to shut down puppy mills.

To continue speaking up, sign these other petitions as well:

• Make Debarking Dogs Illegal in Michigan
• Shut Down Exotic Animal Breeders

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