Citizens to rally at Michigan capitol to urge lawmakers to reject pro-puppy mill bills

For Immediate Release

May 7, 2018

Citizens to rally at Michigan capitol to urge lawmakers to reject pro-puppy mill bills

Concerned citizens, animal sheltering and animal control professionals, and animal protection groups from across the state will assemble at the Anderson House Office Building in Lansing on Wednesday, May 9 to rally in opposition to legislation that would protect cruel puppy mills and their pet store sales outlets.

The day will start at 9:30 am in the lobby of the Anderson House Office Building at 124 North Capitol Avenue, Lansing, MI. Participants will then proceed to the House Agriculture Committee hearing at 10:00 am on the 3^rd Floor in room 347, and afterwards will meet with their own legislators to urge them to oppose the bills.

Those in attendance will include:

1. Michigan Humane Society (Bingham Farms, MI)
2. Puppy Mill Awareness of Southeast Michigan (Northville, MI)
3. Michigan Friends of Companion Animals Coalition
4. Capital Area Humane Society (Lansing, MI)
5. Humane Society of West Michigan (Grand Rapids)
6. Pound Buddies Animal Shelter and Adoption Center (Muskegon, MI)
7. Attorneys for Animals (Canton, MI)
8. Michigan Pet Fund Alliance (Bloomfield Hills, MI)
9. Harley’s Heroes of West Michigan
10. Carol’s Ferals (Grand Rapids, MI)
11. The Humane Society of the United States – MI
12. Great Lakes Rabbit Sanctuary (Willis, MI)
13. Waggin' Tail Dog Rescue (Northville, MI)
14. Bark Nation (Wixom, MI)
15. Dog Aide (White Lake, MI)

HB 5916/5917, referred to as “the Petland bills” after the legislation’s primary backer, would allow pet stores in Michigan to continue sourcing from large-scale, inhumane commercial breeding facilities and to continue to sell sick puppies to the public, while at the time stripping cities, towns, and counties in the state of the authority to address this issue. Three existing ordinances that prohibit the sale of puppy mill puppies that have been passed in Eastpointe, Fraser, and New Baltimore would be voided as a result of this legislation. 

HB 5916/5917 are an attack on local control and animal welfare, and are being met with strong opposition from the pet-loving population of Michigan.

There is a movement across the nation to prohibit the sale of puppy mill puppies in pet stores. Maryland lawmakers unanimously approved such a measure last month, joining California and over 260 localities across 20 states.

“We believe this legislation does not protect animals, leaves the door open to continued sourcing from puppy mills in pet shops, and further hinders our ability to work with local municipalities toward legislation on behalf of the animals we care so deeply about, “ said Matt Pepper, President & Chief Executive Officer Michigan Humane Society.

“HB5916 suggests that pet stores will have more regulations and puppy buyers will have full access to breeder information, but the real problems happen long before the puppies arrive in the stores,” said Pam Sordyl, founder of Michigan Friends of Companion Animals and Puppy Mill Awareness of Southeast Michigan. “No amount of enforcement in Michigan is going to ensure that breeders follow the highest standards when breeding or provide expensive veterinary care necessary in large-scale operations. Puppies from the industry’s new showcase kennels are still arriving with many abnormalities including generic issues as a result of poor breeding. "

“Our shelter’s dedicated animal care professionals have seen firsthand the suffering that is the result of the large-scale breeding of dogs for the pet industry,” said Trudy Ender, Executive Director of the Humane Society of West Michigan in Grand Rapids. “As a result, we support efforts by citizens in west Michigan to stop the sale of puppies in pet stores, and to promote the adoption of rescued animals instead. HB 5916/5917 is a step in the wrong direction and goes against the wishes of the people of Michigan who oppose the cruelty of puppy mills.”

“HB5917 is strategically designed to undo all of our work to protect families and open the door to inhumane kennels,” said Cardi DeMonaco Jr., an Eastpointe City Council Member. “It is hard imagine my council will not even be allowed to prevent roadside stands or parking lot sellers from peddling puppies in Eastpointe. I wanted Eastpointe to be a model city promoting only humane ways to bring pets into the family. Times are changing and our ordinance reflects our values as a community which should stay on the books.” 

Media contacts:

Matt Pepper, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Michigan Humane Society 248-283-5661

Pam Sordyl, Founder of Michigan Friends of Companion Animals and Puppy Mill Awareness of SE Michigan 734-718-7100

Cardi DeMonaco Jr., Eastpointe Council Member 586-744-3864

Trudy Ender, Executive Director of the Humane Society of West Michigan 616-258-4076

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