Benefits

Properly worded ordinances send a strong message that a given community does not support puppy mill cruelty. They protect consumers who may unwittingly purchase sometimes sick or genetically compromised puppy mill puppies from pet stores. They promote the acquisition of shelter/rescue dogs instead of commercially bred dogs – causing increased shelter animal placement, decreased euthanasia, and a resulting fiscal benefit to the locality. Nationally, they pressure the commercial pet industry to clean up its act. Poor animal care standards among breeders/suppliers is causing them to lose markets, leaving them to choose between ceding those markets forever or forcing their breeders/suppliers to demonstrably and dramatically improve living conditions for dogs.