Milwaukee May Soon Ban the Sale of Puppy Mill Dogs in Pet Stores!

Nearly 5,500 healthy and adoptable dogs are killed in shelters across the U.S. every day yet most pet stores still in operation continue to promote and sell dogs from large-scale breeding facilities known as puppy mills.

Why? The answer is quite simple actually – profit.

Since puppy mills, much like factory farms, are profit-driven operations, animal welfare and care are rarely enforced or even considered. Puppy mill dogs are often confined to small wire cages that hurt their sensitive paw pads. What’s more, these cages are usually caked in filth, including the dogs’ own excrement.

Puppies that come out of these mills can carry a number of health problems (it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that poor living conditions equals poor health).

As the ASPCA reports, “puppies from puppy mills are prone to congenital and heredity conditions” including epilepsy, heart disease, kidney disease, parvovirus, giardia, penomonia, and kennel cough, among other troubling conditions.

In an attempt to stamp out this kind of abuse, Milwaukee, Wis. may soon join 50 other U.S. jurisdictions in banning the sale of puppy mill dogs in pet stores! What great news!

After a 2008 undercover investigation revealed shocking living conditions at a state puppy mill, Wisconsin “passed laws to license and regulate commercial breeders,” TMJ 4 reports.

While this move was most certainly a step in the right direction, it did not go far enough. Now, Milwaukee Alderman Tony Zielinski is hoping to take things one big step further and ban puppy mill dogs from the city’s pet stores for good.

“It’s a financially driven operation for profit, and as a result the treatment of these animals is cruel and harsh and I don’t feel that is right,” said Alderman Zielinski of puppy mills.

Right on, Zielinski!

If Milwaukee’s puppy mill ban passes, pet stores will only be able to host dogs from shelters, rescue groups and reputable breeders. The future for homeless Milwaukee dogs is looking up! Hopefully the proposed ban will meet with great Support at its upcoming debate on May 1. Fingers crossed!

Image source: Humane Society of the United States Puppy Mill Campaign / Facebook