Modern Pets's blog

September 10, 2013
ASPCA Applauds USDA Rule Expanding Regulation of Puppy Mills
Closing inspection loophole for Internet dog breeders an important step

NEW YORK—The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) applauds the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for issuing a final rule establishing greater federal oversight of puppy mills and online dog sales. The new rule closes a regulatory loophole in the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and, for the first time in history, requires commercial breeders who sell their puppies directly to the public—sight unseen—to be licensed and inspected by the USDA.

“This rule represents a meaningful effort by the USDA to target problematic, large-scale breeding operations and will require them to meet minimum care standards for breeding dogs and the puppies they produce,” said Nancy Perry, senior vice president of ASPCA Government Relations. “The ASPCA has witnessed the abhorrent cruelty that often exists behind the pictures of happy puppies posted on a breeder’s website, and this rule will crack down on the worst Internet breeders.”

Many puppies sold online come from puppy mills and are commonly bred in unsanitary, overcrowded, and often cruel conditions without sufficient veterinary care, food, water, or socialization. While facilities that breed puppies for commercial resale through pet stores are required to be licensed and inspected under the AWA, breeders that sell directly to consumers, whether via the Internet, newspaper classifieds or other outlets, are exempt from any federal oversight. The direct sales exemption was created before the advent of the Internet under the presumption that a consumer buying a puppy directly from a breeder could personally assess the welfare of the dogs on site. It was impossible to foresee that consumers would one day purchase pets online and have puppies shipped to them, sight unseen.

Last year, the ASPCA, along with several other national animal welfare organizations, gathered approximately 350,000 letters and signatures from concerned citizens in support of the USDA’s efforts to regulate unlicensed puppy mills. “The enormous public response to the USDA’s efforts illustrates just how strongly Americans support greater oversight of puppy mills and their intensity of concern about the humane treatment of animals,” said Cori Menkin, senior director of the ASPCA Puppy Mills Campaign. “We thank the USDA for instituting this change and encourage them to continue to establish even stronger legal protections to safeguard dogs from unscrupulous breeders and improve conditions for dogs in USDA-licensed facilities.”

The ASPCA’s “No Pet Store Puppies” campaign aims to reduce the demand for puppy mill puppies by urging consumers to pledge not to buy any items—including food, supplies or toys—from stores or websites that sell puppies. In June, the ASPCA launched a new tool on its “No Pet Store Puppies” website that allows consumers to link pet stores that sell puppies with USDA licensed commercial dog breeders who supply puppies to pet stores around the country. The database contains more than ten thousand photos of commercial dog breeding facilities, which not only show conditions that violate federal law, but also conditions that are legal but that the ASPCA—and the general public—consider inhumane. “Consumers can see for themselves what ‘USDA licensed’ means and not be falsely reassured when a pet store tells them their puppies come from USDA licensed breeders,” added Menkin. “Thanks to this new rule, our database will expand to include more breeders who will fall under federal oversight for the first time and allow consumers to make informed decisions and refrain from buying puppies at pet stores or online.”

To learn more about the ASPCA’s efforts to eradicate puppy mills, please visit www.NoPetStorePuppies.com.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. (September 9, 2013) – “Farm to table” foods are known as the most nourishing, healthy and responsibly sourced products people can get. We look for package labels that tell us where the ingredients come from because we’re conscientious about our family’s health. Unfortunately, that same approach has not been applied to pet foods and treats…until now. Introducing Whole Life® Pet treats, the world’s first “Farm to Friend” treats for dogs and cats.

Whole Life Pet has four different product lines, so there’s a treat to fit every pet. The original Whole Life line brings simplicity back with one ingredient, freeze-dried treats that are easily recognized by the brand’s iconic striped bags. The new Pier 6™ recipes are freeze-dried treats made with locally sourced fish from Boston fishermen that use sustainable methods. The Tail Mix™ line includes fun “real food” freeze-dried treats like burgers or meatballs. And finally, Whole Life Organics are the only USDA certified organic line of freeze dried treats certified by Oregon Tilt. All products are available in a range of protein options, including chicken, beef, venison, salmon, sweet potato and more.

According to John Gigliotti, founder and CEO, “Every ingredient in our products comes from handpicked farmers, ranchers and fishermen we know personally and trust. We buy the highest quality cuts of meat, poultry and fish that we can find and continue to search for the best, like a high-end restaurant. And every Whole Life treat is made in western Massachusetts, in our own state-of-the-art facility.”

Pet parents will be equally pleased to know that Whole Life freeze-dried treats are made from only 100 percent human-quality, hormone-free, free range, and organic ingredients, and that every ingredient is sourced in the U.S. Each variety is produced in small, fresh batches and tested for quality and safety. This extraordinary attention to detail results in a line of products with exceptional aroma and palatability. For more information, visit www.WholeLifePet.com or www.facebook.com/WholeLifePet.
 

Petition on Change.org calls on popular classifieds site Kijiji.ca to "catch up with Craigslist" and prohibit the sale of live animals

Last week, popular BC classifieds site BuySellTrade.ca announced it has also removed private pet ads section, will promote adoptions via local shelters instead.

MONTREAL, QC – Barbara Lapointe, a Montreal mother of two who owns a dog-walking and pet sitting business, has launched a fast-growing Change.org petition asking Kijiji.ca to take a stand against puppy mills and unethical breeders by banning all pet sales, and instead working to promote adoption from registrered animal rescue groups and the re-homing of family pets.

Lapointe believes that online pet sales “allow puppy mills and disreputable breeders to sell directly to unsuspecting animal lovers through online classified sites [where it is] really easy for unethical breeders to disguise themselves online." Every day, according to Lapointe’ petition, thousands of pets are posted for sale on Kijiji.ca, which bills itself as "Canada's most popular, free, local classifieds site," effectively creating what Lapointe calls “a marketplace for disreputable breeders.”

The urgency of stopping unethical breeders was highlighted once again this week with the seizure by the Montreal SPCA of 90 dogs living in squalid conditions in a large-scale commercial breeding facility (commonly known as a “puppy mill”) in the Monteregie region of Quebec. Prior to launching her petition, Lapointe had been working with local politicians in Town of Mount Royal, Montreal to implement a ban on pet sales in pet stores (as have several Canadian cities such as Mississauga, ON and Richmond, B.C.). Lapointe complemented her local pet store lobbying with her Change.org petition after several of her supporters pointed out that online classified pet sales are an even larger marketplace for puppy mills.

“Kijiji is a great site for some things but it's absolutely the wrong place to be buying and selling animals,” said Lapointe. “Ending online sales and instead encouraging shelter adoption or re-homing of family pets is the only real solution for the good of the animals and the consumers."

New signatures and comments on Lapointe's petition are sent via email to Zachary Candelario, general manager of Kijiji.ca. After collecting only 600 signatures, Lapointe was contacted by Shawn McIntyre, Kijiji’s community manager, who replied that Kijiji was not considering removing the pet sales section at this time, pointing out that Kijiji has animal posting policies to prevent use by mills.

"It's good that Kijiji gives users information about puppy mills, but their argument that they can catch suspicious posts and prevent mills from using the site is pretty naive," said Lapointe. "Many supporters of my petition have written in about their own experience buying a dog or cat through Kijiji only to discover after that the animal was sick, too young, and came from a mill or unethical, unregistered backyard breeder. Whatever Kijiji is doing, it’s clearly not foolproof."

Lapointe refers to the infamous case of Gail Benoit, a convicted animal abuser from Nova Scotia who was banned from using Kijiji but returned repeatedly using fake names, different computers, and asking others to post ads for her.

Lapointe was encouraged last week by the announcement that popular B.C. classifieds site BuySellTrade.ca has removed private pet ads altogether and will only be posting pets for adoption via the local BC SPCA shelter. “Shawn McIntyre told me that by closing their pet section, it would only be driving traffic to another website that might not care at all” said Lapointe. “But Kijiji should not act out of fear that another classified website might pick up the sale of animals. Kijiji is the number one classifieds website in Canada - this is their chance to set the example and encourage all the other smaller classifieds websites out there to take a stand against mills by stopping pet sales. BuySellTrade.ca and Craigslist did it. Kijiji should show that they are indeed THE leader in Canada.”

Journalists interested in setting up an interview should use the contact details at the top of the page.

Live signature totals on Barbara Lapointe’s petition: www.change.org/kijiji

For more information on Change.org, please visit: http://www.change.org/about

Gold Paw Series Outfits Pets in Stylish, Eco-Friendly, Made-in-the USA Outerwear

OAKDALE, Minn. (September 6, 2013) – The fashion pieces that make us drool strike a balance between timeless and trendy. If those same pieces are impeccably fit, responsibly sourced and sewn with care, well, then they’re at the top of our must-have list. And there’s no reason our pets should be left out in the cold (literally) when it comes to smart, chic clothing.

Like us, pets require proper protection from the elements. Especially on rainy or windy days, or when unseasonable weather conditions are abound. And canines of all sizes, even big ones, require extra protection during their puppy months or in senior years. You see, many pets need an extra layer from time to time for many reasons. That’s why Gold Paw Series, a family-run dogwear company, is dedicated to improving the lives of these pets and their parents with thoughtful, practical solutions to the everyday issues they may face.

As anyone who’s ever tried to dress a pet knows, finding the right fit is an art. Gold Paw Series has been perfecting their patterns and garments for two generations – offering upwards of 14 sizes made from high-quality fabrics that stretch in all the right places. And to ensure every pet and breed finds the perfect garment with a timeless silhouette, Gold Paw Series will specially make your pet’s garment for those hard to fit breeds or body shapes – because they want all pets to be warm and adorable.

The fashion forward label includes everything from accessories, like their Visibility Vests and Peter Pan Collars, to jackets and winter coats, like their popular line of Stretch Fleece pullovers and Waterproof Coats. The latest collection features a variety of charming prints and brilliant hues that are right on trend, including Eggplant and Robin Egg – both new to the Fall 2013 Collection available now.

All Gold Paw Series products are proudly sewn in the USA, some in California and some in Oregon. Many of their materials are milled here, also, to ensure their customers are getting the highest quality products possible while supporting their neighbors too! To reduce environmental impact, Gold Paw Series utilizes high-quality recycled materials, low-impact textile dyes and biodegradable packaging. Pricing starts at $15 and ranges with product and size.

To learn more or to find a retailer near you, visit the Gold Paw Series website at www.goldpawseries.com.

Veterinary Clinics Help Petsecure Launch Pet Health Insurance Month

Winnipeg, Manitoba – August 28, 2013: Vet clinics know better than anyone that pet health insurance can mean the difference between life and death for pets. To promote Pet Health Insurance Month this September, Petsecure is teaming up with participating veterinary clinics across Canada who will compete to raise awareness on the benefits of insuring your pet.

"When a dog or a cat with a treatable condition is euthanized because of economics, the situation can be devastating,” says Dr. Colleen Skavinsky, Petsecure’s Chief Veterinary Officer. “Not only for pet parents, but also for hospital staff who have devoted their careers to keeping pets healthy. Pet health insurance allows pet owners and veterinarians to make medical decisions based on what’s right for their pet without the worry of financial constraints.”

Pet owners choosing euthanasia for economic reasons is, sadly, not uncommon. According to a survey from Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Newsmagazine, the point at which the average owner would consider euthanasia is $1,700. Considering  the average cost of treatment for cancer, diabetes, or even something as simple as eating a chew toy can run well into the thousands of dollars, a good pet health insurance policy can save owners from the awful situation of having to decide between their pet and their finances.

The clinics taking part in the Pet Health Insurance Month contest will be decorating their waiting rooms to promote and increase awareness of pet health insurance. Two winners – one from Western Canada and one from Eastern Canada – will be selected by Petsecure. Each winning clinic will win a $300 Visa gift card to use for a luncheon/night out with their staff, plus a feature video showcasing their clinic (approx. $4,000 value).

Pet Health Insurance Month is an initiative of the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA), of which Petsecure is a proud member. In 2008, Petsecure was the first Canadian company to recognize and participate in the event. NAPHIA’s goal is to educate and promote the values and benefits of pet health insurance throughout North America.

For more information about Petsecure, visit: www.petsecure.com.