ACTION ALERT: Deadline extended to April 20th - Comment on USDA Standards of Care for Puppy Mills

Mother dog with puppies in deplorable conditions

ACTION ALERT: Public comments needed to USDA by APRIL 20th regarding standards of care for breeding female dogs, and exercise and socialization for all dogs in USDA-regulated facilities (aka puppy mills).

Feel free to use these talking points in your comments:

1. As a U.S. citizen and voter, I care deeply about adequate standards of care for dogs.

2. Every single dog raised in a USDA-regulated puppy mill deserves proper care for a healthy life.

3. Please take steps to quickly update the USDA's regulations to improve the standards of care for commercially bred dogs, which are long overdue.

4. The USDA should require that breeding females be physically examined by a licensed veterinarian prior to each attempted breeding to ensure they are healthy for pregnancy.

5. The USDA should also significantly increase minimum enclosure space requirements. Existing requirements force dogs to spend their entire lives in cages only six inches longer and six inches taller than their bodies, which does not allow normal movement or comfort.

6. Every dog should have daily access to an exercise run during daylight hours to promote physical and behavioral health.

7. Without appropriate space and regular access to exercise, dogs are at increased risk of physical and mental deterioration.

8. Strengthening care standards are necessary to ensure that USDA regulations reflect scientifically based animal welfare standards of care.

9. I appreciate Secretary Rollins stated commitment to improving regulations, and I support higher standards of care for dogs in regulated facilities.

To submit your comments by April 20th, go to https://www.regulations.gov/.

Enter APHIS-2025-1000 in the Search field near the top, which will take you to the comment page as shown in the screenshot below.

Or you can click here to go directly to the Comments page.

Screen shot of USDA APHIS-2025-1000 Comments box

You can enter all your comments in one submission. The site also allows you to upload supporting documents.

These are the following questions being considered by the USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS):

Care Considerations for Breeding Females:

1. Do breeding female dogs require additional veterinary or other care considerations over those for non-breeding dogs? What are the most common health issues documented in female breeding dogs?

2. Are there studies regarding the specific nutrition requirements during pregnancy and lactation for breeding females?

3. What scientific evidence is there regarding the impact of breeding age on the health of breeding females?

4. What, if any, impact does the number and frequency of litters have on the health of female dogs? Are there studies evaluating the impact of breed size on the health and breeding of female dogs?

5. What scientific evidence is there regarding the impact of heritable defects on the health of breeding females? What are the costs and benefits of genetic testing in breeding females for dog breeding facilities?

Socialization and Exercise of Dogs:

1. Are there studies assessing the socialization needs of dogs, including interactions with humans and compatible dogs?

2. Are there studies assessing the health and wellbeing of singly housed dogs?

3. What scientific information is available regarding the exercise needs of dogs, including considerations of the animal's age, breed, and health, the type of exercise, and exercise frequency and duration?

4. Are there studies evaluating the effects of human interaction on the health and welfare of dogs in breeding facilities?