A City in Wisconsin Supports Banning the Sale of Animals in Pet Stores - National Humane Education Society

Paws Up!
June 23, 2020

To the Whitewater City Council for helping to combat puppy mills.

Filth, disease, pain, and hunger are just some of the horrific things that surround puppy and kitten mills. These commercial breeding facilities are given minimum requirements to follow by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Sadly, these entities continue to operate due to the lack of annual inspections and enforcements by the USDA and blinded consumers. To help hinder these facilities from continuing their inhumane practices, city, county, and state lawmakers have passed laws prohibiting the retail sale of companion animals by pet stores.

In Wisconsin, the Whitewater City Council voted in favor of an ordinance to ban the retail sale of cats, dogs, and rabbits in pet stores. This passage made Whitewater the first city in Wisconsin to help deter puppy and kitten mills. Anyone found guilty of violating this ordinance would be subjected to a $500 penalty per animal.

Take Action: Whitewater city residents, thank your councilmembers for fighting against puppy and kitten mills. Other residents, if you are looking for a companion animal, please research before you buy to make sure you are not supporting a puppy or kitten mill.

To learn more about puppy mills, please download our free brochure here.