THE PUPS ACT WILL CLOSE A LOOPHOLE IN INTERNET SALES OF PUPPIES USED BY BREEDERS TO BYPASS HEALTH REGULATIONS AND LICENSES.

WASHINGTON -- The following information was released by the office of California Rep. Sam Farr:

Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) today supported, as an original cosponsor, the introduction of the Puppy Uniform Protection Stature (PUPS Bill)-legislation that would close a loophole in the Animal Welfare Act that allows thousands of large, commercial dog breeders who sell on the internet to escape licensing and regulations.

"Dog breeders have taken advantage of this Internet loophole to increase their profits at the expense of the health of thousands of dogs," said Congressman Sam Farr. "The result of breeders' ability to bypass regulations has led to widespread abuses of dogs that are crammed into small cages with no exercise or social contact. We have a responsibility to close this loophole, because it is simply unconscionable to allow this abuse to continue."

Facilities that breed dogs for commercial resale are required to be licensed and inspected under the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA). However, the Act exempts entities selling a high volume of animals through the Internet, which raises animal health and humane treatment concerns.

"The SPCA for Monterey County applauds Congressman Farr's co-sponsorship of the Puppy Uniform Protection Statute-the PUPS Bill," said SPCA for Monterey County Board of Directors President Sherrie McCullough. "Here in Monterey County, we've seen firsthand the tragic animal and human cost of unregulated puppy mills. By closing the loophole in existing law that allows internet sales to go unregulated, this legislation will better protect both animals and consumers."

The loophole in the law allows thousands of puppy mills or high volume dealers to sell directly to the public and go unchecked from any federal oversight. These unregulated Internet retail breeders and other direct sales facilities sell thousands of puppies a year to unsuspecting costumers. Due to improper care and over crowded conditions by some breeders, their puppies are often ill, leaving unsuspecting consumers with sick, sometimes dying puppies and expensive vet bills.

The PUPS Act will require that all dog breeders that sell more than 50 dogs per year be federally licensed and inspected. The legislation also mandates that dogs in commercial breeding facilities be given the opportunity to walk and exercise.

Rep. Farr has a long history as an animal rights advocate. As a member of the California State Assembly, he authored state-level legislation regulating puppy mills. When it was enacted, the law set significant standards for the industry that continue today.