Animal Folks Minnesota

KEY MESSAGE: Commercial dog and cat breeding got its start in the 1940s. It’s concentrated in the Midwest.

The ‘commercial’ breeding of dogs and cats (i.e. mass production of puppies and kittens for sale to retail stores) started after World War II (1945).

To help poor farmers supplement their income, the U.S. Government, through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), encouraged farmers to raise dogs, even though many farmers lacked a knowledge of canine health. Many of these farms were located in the Midwest.

Some farmers started breeding, keeping dogs and cats in existing rabbit hutches or chicken pens. Animal brokers and carriers also ‘saw money’, and set up a distribution system for transport and sales. Soon major department stores and pet shops across the United States were selling puppies and kittens.

Even novelty songs were written romancing the puppies in pet stores. In 1952, Bob Merrill wrote “How much is that doggie in the window? The one with the waggley tail? How much is that doggie in the window? I do hope that doggie’s for sale.” Consumers were, and still are, unaware of where many puppies are produced and in what conditions.

Today, many dog and cat breeders are not farmers — though many commercial breeders are still located in rural areas. Commercial (mass volume) breeders defend their business actions as part of the “agricultural community,” and assume their actions should follow swine and dairy regulations. Traditional farmers disagree and argue that no “real” farmer would treat his or her animals or the land with such disrespect and inhumanity.

The dog and cat breeding industry is now such a big business (highly profitable for commercial breeders) that Russia, Asia, Central America, Eastern Europe and Mexico are importing puppies to the United States, adding to the pet overpopulation problem and increasing the number of unwanted dogs and cats at animal shelters. In a review of dog and puppy import issues, the Humane Society of the United States found that “at JFK airport alone, 7,000 puppies are imported annually. Many arrive in poor condition or are dead on arrival.” … “A 2005 Border Puppy Task Force study estimated that 10,000 puppies are entering San Diego County from Mexico annually.” See link below for more information.

Please email or call your State legislators today and ask them to take action. Ask them to help protect animals through the licensing and regulation of the dog and cat breeding industry.