Animal Rights State to Watch: Missouri

This election season, animal rights advocates should be watching Missouri very closely. Missouri is home to the only animal rights ballot measure this year, and it could be a game changing victory for dogs everywhere. Proposition B, or the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act will require breeding facilities to comply with common sense rules regarding the safety and health of the dogs they produce and care for.

This is a huge deal, because Missouri currently produces 1 out of every 3 puppies sold in pet stores each year.

The act would cover any breeding facility with ten or more intact females and would require that each dog have:

1. Sufficient food and clean water;
2. Necessary veterinary care;
3. Sufficient housing, including protection from the elements;
4. Sufficient space to turn and stretch freely, lie down, and fully extend his or her limbs;
5. Regular exercise; and
6. Adequate rest between breeding cycles.
   

The act also limits the number of intact dogs over 6 months of age at any one facility to 50.

This act would ensure what all reputable breeders already know, practice, and do. Healthy puppies must come from healthy mothers, and healthy mothers need exercise, space, veterinary care, quality food and water, and rest between their litters.

Puppies from pet stores are not good deals, and people should encourage adoption from shelters, breed specific rescue, or from a reputable breeder (breed specific rescues keep a list of breeders they consider reputable.)

For more information, please go to: Yes on Prop. B

Please encourage your Missouri friends to vote YES! on Prop. B!