Andrea Rosebrock 
Good news for Puppy Mill opponents. In Pennsylvania, instead of breeding dogs, they’re “milking cows.” In an article appearing in the Lancaster Online, Edwin Zeiset, a kennel owner licensed to breed up to 500 dogs a year said he had no choice but to shut down. Pennsylvania’s new regulations are biting hard at dog breeders. The new regulations are so strict, “there’s just no way to have a kennel.”
At least 52 kennels in Lancaster County have closed or announced that they will close by the end of the year, because Pennsylvania’s new dog laws make it tougher to do business.
In a nutshell, Pennsylvania’s new dog laws (which took affect October 9 of this year) require breeders to increase cage sizes and provide an attached “run” so dogs can get exercise. Dogs must receive regular veterinary care and have access to water at all times. Cages can’t be stacked, and dogs can’t be kept on wire flooring. And any kennel housing 25 dogs during a year must be licensed and inspected. It also includes tougher penalties for violating those provisions.
But the rapid shutdown of these places is placing a burden on shelters. The dog rescue organization, A Tail to Tell, has been inundated with dogs of all kinds. They went from getting about 30 dogs a month to 50 dogs a week. Virtually all of the dogs were surrendered by breeders getting out of the business. Almost every rescue group around is filled to capacity with surrendered puppy mill dogs. It takes a lot of time, money, and patience to rehabilitate and care for puppy mill dogs. They are unsocialized, afraid of humans, and plagued with tons of health problems.
In response to this new bill, and to offset their “losses”, a few breeders shipped their dogs to Ohio for auction this past October. About 287 were sold, 12 to Main Line Animal Rescue and the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The dogs were filthy, terrified, and ill. The SPCA has filed cruelty charges against six breeders. Fearing prosecution, other breeders are likely to just kill their animals.
The Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association and the Federal Humane Societies of Pennsylvania created a “Safe Harbor” program that allows kennels to relinquish unwanted dogs without fear of prosecution. So far, the Humane League of Lancaster County received 22 dogs through the program last week from a kennel in southern Lancaster.
It’s apparent puppy mill breeders are having a tough time of it. Other states are falling in line. Just this month, Governor Jim Doyle made Wisconsin the 10th state this year to sign a dog breeding act into law. Breeders will now be regulated in Wisconsin. Anyone who sells more than 25 dogs a year will have to be licensed through the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection. In order to get a license, breeders or pet stores will be inspected to make sure they are taking care of the dogs, something that has not happened in the past.
In Missouri, several animal welfare organizations have partnered together to gather more than 100,000 signatures from Missouri voters to get the “Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act” (similar to the Pennsylvania law) placed on the November 2010 ballot.
And now, a national toll-free hotline to report suspected puppy-mill illegal activities was launched just this month by the Humane Society of the United States, which hopes callers will supply tips that increase the number of raids and prosecutions. (877-MILLTIP)
So yeah, puppy mill breeders are feeling the bite of the law. It’s the tireless effort of animal welfare groups and puppy mill opponents that is making a change. Do I feel sorry for them? HELL NO. Keep milking those cows. Last I looked, dairy products are still being sold in stores.
This is a post worth waiting for..It makes my heart glad that finally these puppy concentration camps are being forced to close by strict and humane regulations. Lets hope this steam rolls around the world, as we have many such places in Europe.
Sam, you hit the nail on the head. These are concentration camps for these poor dogs!
I am glad to see this happening, as I have transported many a puppy mill dogs on various runs, and they do not have a clue as to what a kind human touch is, the feel of the soft grass beneath their little paws, the smell of fresh flowers, the smell of the fresh wind, the feel of the wind in their faces, a car ride, splashing in puddles, smushing their paws into mud, then tracking it into the house, sleeping in a warm comfy home, on a pillow or bed, on the sofa, being loved.
I cannot wait to see this happen nationwide. The only problem I forsee, is the mass transport of all these little ones, and how our shelters and rescues are going to be riddled with sick little pups.
Ten states down, forty to go!!
Glad? I am over the moon with joy!
I was born and raised in that state and always thought the Amish people were such humble, God-fearing folk. Greed has turned them into callous, uncaring shadows of human beings.
When the last puppy mill is closed forever, I will die a very, very happy woman!
Me, too Susan T!!!
This is wonderful news. Now we just have to get the other states to follow, and shut these hell holes down for good!
This is great news in the long run, but the short run is that thousands of dogs and puppies that are being dumped, auctioned, killed and let loose need our active help. And they need it now. Many millers who are shutting down still plan on putting their “Stock” on the auction block. If you cannot take even one mill dog in, or help transport, or attend a PA auction to save one or two, at minimum we can all donate, even a dollar will help, to rescues who send buyers to the auctions. And I do mean even a dollar will help, not only for food, gas, vet care, but also the auction prices themselves. I have been to mill auctions where if the dog got any bid at all it might only be two or three dollars.
For you Chihuahua lovers, there is a shelter, no kill, but limited space that has Chihuahua puppies in need and is expecting another 40 or so from a miller going out of business.
So while I am happy to hear that laws are beginning to shut down the mills, I do not yet think it is time to celebrate. It is like being happy that WWII is ending in victory for the Allies, while thousands are still being gassed in the death camps.
So where do we send the donations?
‘Bout time…but the big operations are only a start. The “Kitchen Mills” are flourishing in my area. Seems like the local pet shop has a new crop of toy and toy designer breeds every month.
Pssst…
My neighbor and fellow rescuer shut one down by stealing the brood bitch about a year ago when the dog wandered off the property…and good neighbor “Jane” just happened to be on the scene when she strayed. Now, the little girl is livin’ the pampered life in a warm, safe home.
See? Good things come to those who wait…
Finally, happy news for the holidays!!!
As is said…let’s not rush into the celebrations. There’s a hell of a lot of work ahead and 40 more state’s to slap silly until THEY get it!