Bill targets unscrupulous pet shops

To the Editor;

    It is time for Maine to stop supporting the puppy mills and kitten mills by buying pet shop pups and kittens. We all must use our voices to end this inhumane industry.

    LD 335 “An Act To Restrict The Sales Of Dogs And Cats In Pet Shops” will restrict a pet shop from selling dogs and cats obtained from the large-scale breeding industry (aka puppy/kitten mills) with significant violations from the USDA. The restriction does not apply to a public or private charitable nonprofit shelter, humane society, or rescue organization, or a pet shop where a dog or cat owned by a public or private organization. LD 335 will stop other puppy/kitten mill selling pet shops from starting business in our State of Maine.

    Documents obtained from the Maine Department of Animal Welfare have proven 99 percent of all pups and kittens sold in our Maine pet shops are obtained from out of state, inhumane large-scale breeding facilities (aka puppy mills) where the parents are kept in inhumane conditions with urine/feces filled cages, without nutritious food, no veterinary care for illness or injury, without any protection from the elements, breeders with repeat USDA violations, many not licensed by the USDA. The pet shops will deny these facts, but facts are facts. They cannot be denied.

    Does Maine want to support an industry that abuses dogs and cats? I think not. Please contact your state representatives at 1-(800)-423-2900 to tell them Maine wants LD 335 to pass.

    Please join Maine Citizens Against Puppy Mills on Facebook to get more information.

Lynne Fracassi, founder

Maine Citizens Against Puppy Mills, Casco