Dear Animal People,
We (Oswego County Humane Society) just got an email from the ASPCA asking everyone to tell the USDA to finalize a new rule to close a major loophole in federal regulation of puppy mills.

This is an important issue, so we thought we should pass it on.

Under current regulations, only breeders who sell dogs directly to pet stores or to puppy brokers are required to be licensed and inspected by the USDA.

Due to the wording of the federal Animal Welfare Act, (which was passed 40 years ago, before anyone had even thought of the Internet), a large (and growing) population of commercial breeders has been able to escape federal licensing and regulation by only selling dogs online.

This means that no one is checking up on breeders who sell puppies directly to consumers over the Internet.

As ASPCA investigators have found out, the photos of happy, healthy puppies posted on a breeder’s website often grossly misrepresent what conditions are really like for these puppies and their parents.

Hundreds of thousands of animal lovers  have already told the USDA to issue new rules to close this loophole that exempts puppies sold over the Internet from any oversight by federal inspectors.

Now the ASPCA needs our help to tell the USDA to implement the proposed rule so it can start protecting dogs now.

Please go to the ASPCA’s website to send an email to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to finalize the new USDA  rule.

The website address is www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/advocacy-center/

Your email will also be sent to the White House.

Thank you for taking action for puppy mill dogs!

The Oswego County Humane Society provides spay/neuter services and assistance, fostering and adoption of animals in urgent need, humane education programs, and information and referrals to animal lovers throughout Oswego County.

Our office is located at 265 W. First St., Oswego, NY.

Phone (315) 207-1070. Email:ochscontact@hotmail.com

Website: www.oswegohumane.org

Because People and Pets Are Good for Each Other.