Michelle Riley/The HSUS

Tell the USDA to protect puppies

Puppies and their mothers suffer horribly in puppy mills. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which is charged with monitoring, citing and revoking licenses of these breeding facilities if they sell to pet stores, brokers or online, can help stop this cruelty by cracking down harder on repeat offenders, shutting down those who won’t comply with basic rules, and raising its basic care standards for dogs at all commercial breeding facilities. Please ask USDA to take the necessary steps to make sure that conditions and enforcement are improved to meet the basic needs of dogs.

Now is our chance to send a message loud and clear: Americans want better conditions for dogs, and we want the USDA to take strong enforcement action against cruel puppy mills!

TAKE ACTION

Please send a brief, polite message to the USDA. Be sure to edit your message so it stands out.

This action alert is for U.S. residents. International advocates, please visit Humane Society International.

Your Message

Subject*

Secretary

Tom

Vilsack

{contact_data~title} {contact_data~firstName} {contact_data~lastName} {contact_data~suffix},
{contact_data~organization}

Dear Secretary Vilsack,

The HSUS sent the USDA a legal petition to pass higher standards of care for dogs in puppy mills in 2015. Since that time, a few improvements have been made, but thousands of dogs still suffer in facilities that barely  meet their most basic survival needs, including living in stacked, wire cages that hurt their paws and don’t give them enough room to run and play.    I urge you to take action to improve the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, and raise the standards of care in puppy mills to protect puppies and their mothers from puppy mill cruelty.

The USDA recently took the important step of permanently revoking the license of a cruel puppy mill in Iowa where hundreds of dogs lived in squalor; more than 500 of the surviving dogs were rescued. But many dogs are still suffering in facilities that are just as miserable. Under your leadership, we urge the USDA to fix this problem and ensure that violations of the Animal Welfare Act are taken seriously by continuing to strengthen puppy mill enforcement. This work should not be left to local agencies alone, but the USDA can and should work with them in partnership. 

We urge the USDA to  escalate its efforts to improve and enforce the federal Animal Welfare Act.

Thank you.

{user_data~First name} {user_data~Last name}
{user_data~Street address}
{user_data~City}, {user_data~State} {user_data~Zip code}

Signed,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]

Your Information

First name

Last name

Email address

Street address

Apartment, suite or other

City

State

Zip code

Phone number

(Optional) By checking this box, you agree to receive autodialed, recurring text messages from the HSUS with updates and ways you can help animals. Msg & data rates may apply. Text STOP to 77879 to opt out, HELP for info. Privacy Policy. Terms & Conditions.

Send me email updates and quick actions I can take to help protect all animals.

By submitting this form, I confirm that I would like to receive occasional email updates and action alerts for animals.