legislation > federal: PUPS

BILL: The Puppy Uniform Protection Safety Act, or "PUPS Act" (federal)

• H.R. 835

• S. 707

POSITION: Support (at this time, the PUPS Act includes dogs and puppies only; ask that cats, kittens and other pet animals be included too)

SUMMARY: A bill to amend the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA) was re-introduced by federal lawmakers in early 2011. If passed, this bill — H.R. 835 and S. 707, also known as the Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act or the "P.U.P.S." Act — will provide further protection for dogs and puppies within large, commercial breeding facilities. The bill has two important features:

1. Closes loophole — Currently, breeders who sell puppies via the Internet, newspaper or telephone are not required to be USDA-licensed and inspected. This bill closes that loophole by requiring anyone who sells more than 50 puppies per year — "via any means of conveyance (including the Internet, telephone or newspaper)" — to be federally licensed and inspected.

2. Increases space and exercise requirements — The bill would also require that dogs in commercial breeding facilities have appropriate space and opportunity for daily exercise, including being able to achieve a full running stride.

The PUPS Act would help protect thousands of dogs and puppies in breeding facilities throughout the United States. (Note: Cats and kittens are not included within this bill. When speaking with lawmakers, request that cats and other pet animals be included.)

STATUS:

The bills are active and in the first step of the federal legislative process. The 112th Congress (2011-2012) reconvened and each bill has the opportunity to be heard and voted on in their respective committees.

• H.R. 835 was introduced on February 2011 and was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture and, on March 9, 2011, was referred to the House Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry. Check: Bill Status

• S. 707 was introduced on March 31, 2011 and was referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. Check: Bill Status

RULE CHANGE: The USDA, who has the authority to enforce the Animal Welfare Act, has published a proposed rue change that would extend the protection of the Animal Welfare Act to more dogs and cats and other pet animals that are sold at retail — including the Internet — and meet certain other requirements. This action by the USDA impacts regulations, but it does not change the law itself. Both efforts (change of regulations and change of the Act should be supported). For further information about this rule change, go to: AWA - Licensing

SPONSORS:

• Representative Jim Gerlach (R, Pennsylvania) introduced H.R. 835

• Senator Dick Durbin (D, Illinois) introduced S. 707

CO-SPONSORS:

• In the U.S. House, there were currently 116 co-sponsors as of September 2011. This list may increase. Check link for House co-sponsors: Co-Sponsors

• In the U.S. Senate, there were 14 co-sponsors as of September 2011. This list may increased. Check link for Senate co-sponsors: Co-sponsors

ACTION:

1. Find out who represents you at the federal level.

As the PUPS Act is a federal bill, it involves federal legislators.

U.S. Senate for Minnesota

• Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)

• Senator Al Franken (D-MN)

U.S. House of Representatives for Minnesota

• Representative Tim Walz (D-01)

• Representative John Kline (R-02)

• Representative Erik Paulsen (R-03)

• Representative Betty McCollum (D-04)

• Representative Keith Ellison (D-05)

• Representative Michele Bachmann (R-06)

• Representative Collin Peterson (D-07)

• Representative Chip Cravaack (R-08)

Certain Minnesota federal legislators have already expressed support for the PUPS Act; others have not. Find out who represents you in Washington D.C. at the links below:

• MN District Finder (lists state and federal legislators): MN District Finder

• Contact information for MN federal legislators: Congress Merge

2. Encourage your legislators to support the bill and sign on as a co-sponsor.

Cross-check the co-sponsors (links above) with your own legislators — U.S. Senators and U.S. House Representative for your district. 

• If your legislators are already co-sponsors, email or call to say thank you!

• If your legislators have not signed on as co-sponsors, ask them to do so. Contact information can be found at links above (#1).

Suggested language for conversations/correspondence:

• The Animal Welfare Act was passed in 1996. It is not a static document, but must be amended to stay up-to-date and address changes within the market.

• Currently, only breeders who sell wholesale — such as to pet stores — are regulated under the Animal Welfare Act. Retail sales are excluded. If passed, the PUPS Act would close the "retail" loophole in the Animal Welfare Act by requiring any breeder who sells more than 50 puppies per year directly to the public (retail) — including the Internet — be federally licensed and inspected.

• The PUPS Act would also provide needed standards for the welfare of animals, such as the opportunity to exercise daily. This would dramatically improve the lives of thousands of dogs currently kept in cages for continuous breeding.

• Major organizations with animal knowledge and expertise, such as the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), support this bill.

 

3. Pass this message on to others you know.

VARIOUS SUPPORTERS AND OPPOSITION

• AVMA supports: AVMA Position

• HSUS supports: HSUS Position

• ASPCA supports: ASPCA Position

• SAOVA opposes: SAOVA Position

• PIJAC opposes: PIJAC Position