On March 1,  lawmakers in the House of Representatives reintroduced legislation to close the loophole that allows large breeders to sell puppies over the internet and direct to the public without any federal oversight whatsoever. Lack of licensing and regulation has resulted in gross abuses of breeding animals and sick puppies sold to unsuspecting animal lovers by commercial dog breeders nationwide. The long-time obvious need for reform has galvanized animal lovers from coast to coast.

Called the PUPS Act, for “Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act”  H.R. 835 is sponsored by Reps. Jim Gerlach, R-Pa., Sam Farr, D-Calif., Bill Young, R-Fla., and Lois Capps, D-Calif.

The bill amend the Animal Welfare Act to require all breeders selling 50 or more dogs per year directly to the public to be licensed and inspected by the USDA. Dogs must be provided opportunity for exercise for a minimum of 60 minutes per day, separate from their living enclosure.

Read text of the bill here. It was written in 2010. (The final version will likely be somewhat different.)

Call your congressman or woman today to voice your support of this bill. Thank you to sponsors Gerlach, Farr, Young, and Capps!