Sunday, October 24, 2010

MO Prop B Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act - Vote Yes

Election day is rapidly approaching and there's a lot of attention on Missouri to see what voters will do with Prop B - the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act.  There's quite a bit of misinformation out there and, in the interests of full disclosure, we are voting YES on Prop B.  Not only are we in favor of this legislation, we don't think it goes far enough.

The Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act is a measure that will improve the lives of dogs in commercial breeding operations in Missouri.  Specifically, the measure will require large scale dog breeding operations to provide each breeding dog under their care with the basics of humane animal care including:

Sufficient food and clean water;  necessary vet care;  sufficient housing including protection from the elements;  sufficient space to turn and stretch freely, lie down and fully extend their limbs;  regular exercise;  adequate rest between breeding cycles.

Prop B would limit the number of breeding dogs to 50 per facility, but does not apply to breeders with 10 or fewer intact female dogs.  The 50 breeding dog limit will help ensure the operations do not become overcrowded, but will still allow individual breeders to sell hundreds of puppies each year.  Prop B does not affect individuals who raise hunting dogs, livestock facilities, or animal rescue and shelter operators that are not involved in commercial sale of puppies.

Missouri is home to an estimated 3,000 puppy mills, breeding hundreds of thousands of puppies, far more than any other state in the US.  Dogs at puppy mills typically receive little to no medical care, live in squalid conditions with no exercise, socialization or human interaction, and are confined inside cramped wire cages for life.  Dogs at puppy mills must endure constant breeding cycles.  Puppies from puppy mills are sold in pet stores, online and directly to consumers with little to no regard for the dog's health, genetic history or future welfare..

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