Puppy Mills
Overview
WHAT EXACTLY IS A PUPPY MILL ANYWAY?
People universally know of the infamy of puppy mills and back-yard breeders, and the horrible conditions they bring to mind. But many people are not sure exactly what distinguishes a puppy mill, a back-yard breeder, and a hobby breeder. Though much has been written on this subject, we will provide some basic descriptions here.
WHAT’S IN THE LAW?
Puppy Mill defined: “a dog-breeding operation in which the health of the dogs is disregarded in order to maintain a low overhead and maximize profits.” Avenson v. Zegart, 57 F Supp. 958 (D. Minn. 1984) http://law.justia.com/cases/federa/district-courts/FSupp/577/958/1497077/
The Federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA) establishes the minimally acceptable standard for animal treatment and care. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) oversee compliance with the AWA. The AWA requires that a breeding operation that sells dogs bred at their facility and maintains five or more breeding females, must be licensed as “Class A” breeder. Exempt from the law are retail pet stores, those who sell pets directly to pet owners, hobby breeders (less than five breeding females), animal shelters, and boarding kennels. (https://www.aphis.gov/animal_welfare/downloads/AC_Bluebook_AWA_FINAL_2017_508comp.pdf)
Virginia Code addresses commercial dog breeding and limits commercial breeding to no more than 50 dogs, and the breeding of females must be only between the age of 18 months and 7 years, after annual certification of the females’ health for breeding by a veterinarian.
This code section also provides for inspection of breeder records, animals and facilities and requires that dogs be disposed only by gift, sale, transfer, barter, or euthanasia by a licensed veterinarian. (VA Code §3.2-6507.2) These requirements are sufficiently vigorous that they discourage most commercial breeding operations in Virginia.
People universally know of the infamy of puppy mills and back-yard breeders, and the horrible conditions they bring to mind. But many people are not sure exactly what distinguishes a puppy mill, a back-yard breeder, and a hobby breeder. Though much has been written on this subject, we will provide some basic descriptions here.
WHAT’S IN THE LAW?
Puppy Mill defined: “a dog-breeding operation in which the health of the dogs is disregarded in order to maintain a low overhead and maximize profits.” Avenson v. Zegart, 57 F Supp. 958 (D. Minn. 1984) http://law.justia.com/cases/federa/district-courts/FSupp/577/958/1497077/
The Federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA) establishes the minimally acceptable standard for animal treatment and care. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) oversee compliance with the AWA. The AWA requires that a breeding operation that sells dogs bred at their facility and maintains five or more breeding females, must be licensed as “Class A” breeder. Exempt from the law are retail pet stores, those who sell pets directly to pet owners, hobby breeders (less than five breeding females), animal shelters, and boarding kennels. (https://www.aphis.gov/animal_welfare/downloads/AC_Bluebook_AWA_FINAL_2017_508comp.pdf)
Virginia Code addresses commercial dog breeding and limits commercial breeding to no more than 50 dogs, and the breeding of females must be only between the age of 18 months and 7 years, after annual certification of the females’ health for breeding by a veterinarian.
This code section also provides for inspection of breeder records, animals and facilities and requires that dogs be disposed only by gift, sale, transfer, barter, or euthanasia by a licensed veterinarian. (VA Code §3.2-6507.2) These requirements are sufficiently vigorous that they discourage most commercial breeding operations in Virginia.
Virginia Legislation
Virginia has been ranked highly in providing humane animal welfare compared to other states by organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), who ranked Virginia as the 4th most humane state in the country. Virginia’s regulation of breeding with required licensing, limits on number of breeding dogs, and restriction on the sale of animals at outdoor and/or flea markets has contributed to its higher score.
Specifically, Virginia Code (3.2-6507.2) limits commercial breeders to no more than 50 breeding dogs. Breeding females between the age of 18 months and 8 years are permitted after annual certification of the females’ health for breeding by a veterinarian. This code section also provides for inspection of breeder records, animals, and facilities.
Virginia Code (3.2-6512) regulates that pet shops operating in the Commonwealth post in a
conspicuous place on or near the cage of any dog or cat available for sale the breeder’s name, city, state, and USDA license number. A USDA licensed dealer who advertises any dog or cat for sale in the Commonwealth, including internet advertisement, must provide the same information prior to the sale.
Virginia Code (3.2-6500) defines “adequate” animal care, exercise, feeding, shelter, space, and water; and in (3.2-6511) provides penalties for dealers and pet shops that fail to provide adequate care.
Further, Virginia Code (3.2-6511.1) requires pet shops to procure animals only from USDA licensed breeders or animal shelters/humane societies.
While Virginia codes and regulations may be more extensive than in many states, they still have not been sufficient to prevent the sale of animals that come from large commercial breeding operations in other states, where animals are bred and raised as livestock, and often present with poor physical condition, poor health, and/or mental issues. This inhumane treatment and resulting impact to consumers has led several individuals and animal welfare groups to push for further restrictions on live dog/cat sales in Virginia.
Specifically, Virginia Code (3.2-6507.2) limits commercial breeders to no more than 50 breeding dogs. Breeding females between the age of 18 months and 8 years are permitted after annual certification of the females’ health for breeding by a veterinarian. This code section also provides for inspection of breeder records, animals, and facilities.
Virginia Code (3.2-6512) regulates that pet shops operating in the Commonwealth post in a
conspicuous place on or near the cage of any dog or cat available for sale the breeder’s name, city, state, and USDA license number. A USDA licensed dealer who advertises any dog or cat for sale in the Commonwealth, including internet advertisement, must provide the same information prior to the sale.
Virginia Code (3.2-6500) defines “adequate” animal care, exercise, feeding, shelter, space, and water; and in (3.2-6511) provides penalties for dealers and pet shops that fail to provide adequate care.
Further, Virginia Code (3.2-6511.1) requires pet shops to procure animals only from USDA licensed breeders or animal shelters/humane societies.
While Virginia codes and regulations may be more extensive than in many states, they still have not been sufficient to prevent the sale of animals that come from large commercial breeding operations in other states, where animals are bred and raised as livestock, and often present with poor physical condition, poor health, and/or mental issues. This inhumane treatment and resulting impact to consumers has led several individuals and animal welfare groups to push for further restrictions on live dog/cat sales in Virginia.
