Feb. 8, 2021 (Monroe, Wash.) – Late last year, Pasado’s Safe Haven received an email from a local shelter with a familiar request: Someone had just surrendered an incredibly young purebred dog suffering from a variety of medical ailments. The shelter was not able to give the dog the time and expensive vet care required to get her to an adoptable state. If Pasado’s Safe Haven could not take her, she likely would have to be euthanized.
“It’s a situation we unfortunately see all the time,” said Stephanie Perciful, director of the Pasado Safe Haven sanctuary, who accepted the dog at the sanctuary and is in the process of treating her medical issues. “We don’t know this dog’s full history, but her problems are quite common among dogs born in puppy mills. She probably was purchased from a pet store or an irresponsible breeder and then ended up without a family and facing euthanasia.”
Stories like this are the driving force behind Washington State’s Humane Pet Sales Bill (HB 1424) – proposed legislation that would prohibit shady pet stores from selling dogs from puppy mills to unsuspecting customers. The surrendered dog’s former family, like so many consumers, probably didn’t have enough information about the dog they were buying. It is not uncommon for pet stores to market the dogs they sell as “superior” animals and price them accordingly ($5,000 each or more). Consumers who cannot afford these prices to start are then offered financing with interest rates so high that they can end up owing much more than they thought they were paying.
“Washington State enacted a puppy mill ban in 2009, but unfortunately a handful of pet stores are getting around this by importing from out of state puppy mills.” said Laura Henderson, executive director of Pasado’s Safe Haven. “The Humane Pet Sales Bill increases transparency so pet store consumers can make a more educated buying decision and ensures the problems puppy-selling pet stores pose—misleading consumers as to the quality of breeders, overpriced puppies, false health and behavior guarantees, and financing with exorbitant interest rates—do not worsen with any additional stores.”
Sponsored by Reps. Amy Walen (D-48 th District) and Alex Ybarra (R-13 th District), HB 1424 also promotes adoption, responsible breeders, and humane business owners, including most pet stores in the state that do not sell puppies. It is now under consideration by the Consumer Protection & Business committee. Consumers can show support for the bill by filling out Pasado’s Safe Haven 2 Minute Action petition.
“This bill allows us to take a significant step in the right direction of protecting consumers while also ending puppy mills once and for all,” said Brenna Anderst, education and advocacy director for Pasado’s Safe Haven. “Sadly, puppy mill operations with USDA licenses in other states can still legally confine dogs in cages only six inches larger than their bodies for their entire lives, deny dogs adequate exercise and socialization, and provide no regular veterinary care. This bill protects Washington consumers from the heartbreak and financial distress that far too many have endured and can ensure they are not unsuspecting participants in this horrific animal abuse.”
Pasado’s Safe Haven, the Pacific Northwest’s leading animal sanctuary and rescue organization, is on a mission to end animal cruelty and create a more compassionate world. Our uniquely comprehensive approach holds abusers accountable, provides sanctuary and rehabilitation to animals who have suffered from abuse/neglect, advocates for better laws to keep animals safe, and works to inspire people to grow their circle of compassion to include all animals. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram for daily updates on rescues as well as animals in our care or visit our website at www.pasadosafehaven.org.
