Keep Deceptive Puppy Protection Act OFF the Lame Duck Farm Bill

Urge Congress to keep the deceptive Puppy Protection Act (H.R. 1624/S.5072)  OFF the Farm Bill this Lame Duck Session. This act imposes impractical and unscientific mandates that would endanger responsible breeding practices without improving animal welfare. Our laws should prioritize standards that recognize the unique needs of each dog and breed—not arbitrary, one-size-fits-all rules.

Rigid, Arbitrary Mandates in Place of Evidence-Based Standards:

Unlike the USDA’s Animal Welfare Act (AWA) requirements, which are performance-based to suit the specific needs of different breeds, the Puppy Protection Act mandates inflexible standards that could undermine current best practices.

These prescriptive mandates do not consider the unique needs of various breeds, potentially causing more harm than benefit.

Dangerous Outdoor Exercise Requirements:

The bill would require “unfettered access” to an outdoor exercise area large enough for dogs to run at full stride.

This could endanger certain breeds by exposing them to hazards, predators, or adverse weather conditions, compromising their safety.

Unnecessary Mandated Annual Dental Exams:

Requiring annual dental exams across all breeds and ages disregards individual needs and common sense, creating unnecessary costs and potential stress for dogs, while responsible breeders already provide care based on each dog’s needs.

Mandated Solid Flooring with No Flexibility:

The act demands completely solid flooring, despite scientific evidence that other high-quality flooring types, like engineered slatted flooring, are often beneficial in specific kennel settings.

This disregard for flexible flooring options could increase risks of hygiene issues and discomfort for certain breeds.

Ambiguous Pre-Breeding Screenings:

This legislation requires screenings with no guidelines on what tests or exams are required or who would determine them, leading to a lack of clarity that risks imposing undue burdens on responsible breeders.

Temperature Regulations Ignoring Breed-Specific Needs:

The act prohibits keeping dogs in enclosures above 85°F or below 45°F, without considering the needs of dogs bred for colder climates, such as sled dogs, or dogs that must acclimate to warmer conditions for work.

These requirements ignore breed differences and working needs, potentially harming animals accustomed to specific temperature ranges.

Urge your Congressman and Senators to Oppose the Puppy Protection Act as an Amendment to the Farm Bill!