Meredith Lee/Humane World for Animals

Massachusetts: Ask your state legislators to help stop the sale of puppy mill puppies in pet stores

Puppy mills prioritize profit over animal welfare, keeping dogs in cramped cages for their entire lives with little to no vet care, exercise or socialization. Many pet stores claim to source from responsible breeders, but ethical breeders don’t sell to stores—they sell directly to families to ensure their puppies go to good homes.

Passing HD.1530/SD.1155 would phase out the sale of puppy mill puppies in Massachusetts pet stores. Similar laws in other states have reduced the demand for puppy mill puppies and protected families from the heartbreak and financial devastation that often comes with buying a pet shop puppy. Fewer puppy stores means fewer dogs suffering in mills and a more humane pet market.

TAKE ACTION

Please make a brief, polite call to your state senator and representative today and ask them to support these animal protection bills. Look up their phone numbers here. You can say: “As a constituent, I’m calling to urge my legislator to co-sponsor the pet store bills HD.1530/SD.1155 to help stop the sale of puppy mill puppies in pet stores.”

After making your calls (please do not skip that crucial step!), use the form below to send a follow-up message.

This action alert is for U.S. residents.

Your Message

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Dear Legislator,

As your constituent, I am writing to urge you to co-sponsor HD.1530/SD.1155, An Act banning the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in new pet shops sponsored by Representatives Higgins and Ferguson and Senator O’Connor, which would help curb the puppy mill-to-pet shop pipeline by prohibiting  any additional pet stores in Massachusetts from selling commercially raised puppies.    

With the passage of New York’s humane pet store law that stops the sale of puppies in all New York pet stores, Massachusetts is at risk of an influx of bad actors looking for a safe haven in a neighboring state. Public records confirm that most puppies sold in pet stores originate from large-scale commercial breeding facilities, where mother dogs are bred repeatedly with little regard for their welfare. Massachusetts pet stores are no exception.  

 Similar laws in other states have successfully reduced the demand for puppy mill puppies, while also protecting consumers from unknowingly supporting this cruelty.  

 These commonsense bills are a big step forward in protecting both animals and consumers. The Commonwealth will remain open to the booming pet products and services retailer market. Consumers will continue to have ethical options for finding a new pet, including shelters, rescues and responsible breeders who sell dogs directly to the public.  

I appreciate your consideration and urge you to co-sponsor HD.1530/SD.1155 to help end the puppy mill pipeline and protect Massachusetts animals and consumers.

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