HSUS applauds USDA’s stance against puppy mills

The Humane Society of the United States is lauding “a very significant proposed federal action” issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  The action would close a loophole in the Animal Welfare act that has allowed puppy mills to sidestep regulations to continue operations without inspections or oversight.  According the proposed legislation, the rule would revise the definition of “retail pet store” in order to “bring more pet animal retailers under the Animal Welfare Act requirements.”   In 2011 a petition circulated by HSUS and the ASPCA garnered more than 32,000 signatures asking the White House to begin cracking down on unregulated puppy mills.  See the proposed legislation at HumaneSociety.org.