Yesterday we delivered the results of our recent petition to the White House, urging President Biden to direct the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) do its job and protect dogs in puppy mills. This call to action comes to President Biden as the USDA has struggled to adequately respond to one of the most egregious examples of puppy mill cruelty we’ve ever seen. The delivery included a selection of personal puppy mill stories submitted by ASPCA supporters and over 130,000 signatures. 

The USDA licenses approximately 2,000 commercial dog breeders and dealers, and it is the agency responsible for inspecting licensed facilities to ensure animals are receiving at least the minimum level of care required by law. 

But there is a problem, and a clear pattern: the USDA is not holding dog breeders and dealers accountable for violations, and dogs are suffering. The ASPCA filed a lawsuit against the USDA in June 2021 because change is needed for dogs and puppies NOW. 

Thank you to everyone who shared their stories and signed our petition, and thank you to actress and ASPCA 2021 Puppy Advocate and Protector Award-winner Edie Falco for lending her support. 

Help us continue to put pressure on the USDA to do its job by joining our Advocacy Brigade. We will let you know how you can use your voice to demand change for dogs and puppies in puppy mills. 

Our petition was delivered to the White House, urging President Biden to direct the United States Department of Agriculture to do its job and protect dogs in puppy mills. The petition was signed by over 130,000 animal advocates.