Ban Puppy Mills

Illinois residents,

Congress is considering language to settle a decades long battle to prevent pets acquired by "Class B dealers" from winding up in research labs. Class B dealers are animal dealers whose operating licenses from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) allow them to round up dogs and cats from animal shelters, auctions, private individuals and other “random sources,” and then sell them for experimentation.

For years, investigators have documented these dealers abusing dogs and cats before selling them to research facilities, and USDA has spent an extraordinary amount of resources trying to keep tabs on them. Now, the National Academies of Sciences just issued a report stating that Class B dealers are not necessary to provide random source dogs and cats for NIH-funded research. The report also said that the "USDA simply cannot assure that stolen or lost pets will not enter research laboratories via the Class B dealer system."

With only 11 of these dealers left, and 5 currently under investigation by the USDA, it's time to finally put these disreputable middlemen out of business.

TAKE ACTION

Your U.S. Senator, Richard Durbin, sits on the subcommittee that is considering this language and is in a critical position to ensure that pets are protected from abuse and theft for experimentation. Please call Senator Durbin at (202) 224-2152 and insist that this language be included to finally put an end to Class B Dealers.

When you call, you will speak to a staff member who will take your message and pass it along to your legislator. Please remember to be polite and professional, and leave your name and address so it is clear that you are a constituent. You can say:

"Hello, my name is [your name] and I'm calling from [your town] to urge Senator Durbin to include language in the Labor HHS Appropriations bill prohibiting the use of dogs and cats from Class B dealers for research, to prevent pet theft and abuse. Thank you."

Thank you for all you do for animals.

Sincerely,

Wayne Pacelle
President & CEO
The Humane Society of the United States