Animal Support Happy to Hear US Congress is “Going to the Dogs”

PRweb News April 22, 2013

A new dog protection bill was recently introduced in the US Congress, according to CNN. Animal Support co-founders, Michael Omidi and Julian Omidi are happy to hear that the PUPS Act will require all breeders that sell more than 50 dogs a year to be licensed and undergo inspections.

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Los Angeles, California (PRWEB) April 22, 2013

New federal legislation, the Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act (PUPS Act) will ensure consistent regulation of all dog breeders, ensuring that all “puppy mills” treat their pets for sale in a humane manner. As recently reported by CNN, all animal vendors – standard or online – that sell more than 50 animals per year will be required to adhere to standards set forth by the United States Department of Agriculture. They are to be licensed, submit to routine governmental inspections, and are required to provide all animals a minimum of 60 minutes of exercise per day.

Most breeding operations have been subject to government oversight for some time, but a growing number have avoided the requirements by conducting business online. These unscrupulous retailers then minimize their expenses by keeping the animals in deplorable conditions.

“It is amazing that these vendors have been able to skirt oversight for so long, that they aren’t required to submit to inspections, licensing or anything that might help keep the animals in relatively safe and healthy conditions,” says Julian Omidi, Animal Support co-founder. “Obviously, the people who run filthy, diseased puppy mills to make a quick buck at the expense of the health and safety of animals are not going to become model breeders just because new laws are passed. But what these regulations will do, hopefully, is dissuade these kinds of people from even selling animals in the first place.”

The PUPS bill will close the loopholes regarding regulation of the pet conditions where puppies are housed for online sale. Under current law, no provisions are specified for online animal breeding facilities, so these breeders are under no legal obligation to seek veterinary treatment for sick animals, provide clean enclosures or even supply adequate food and clean water. In the meantime, Animal Support suggests that people looking to purchase pets, help prevent these unscrupulous breeders from turning a profit by not frequenting their establishments and websites.

“We hope that people looking to adopt a pet become a little bit savvier about how they do it,” says Julian Omidi. “You might look for animal adoption agencies or breeders online, but you must visit the facilities before purchasing or adopting a pet, so you know how they are being maintained.

Animal Support (animalsupport.org) is dedicated to addressing pet over-population and abuse by promoting charities working on behalf of animal well-being. The organization was founded by brothers Michael Omidi, M.D. and Julian Omidi, along with long-time friend Maria Abaca, to advocate for animal protection, rescue, adoption, and spay and neuter laws. Animal Support does not accept donations but encourages direct contributions of money and talents to the charities and organizations featured on our website. For more information about Animal Support, send a message using the website’s Contact Us function, check out Animal Support on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest.

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Source: PRweb News Animal Support Happy to Hear US Congress is “Going to the Dogs”