October 18, 2009 - By: Admin

Quebec, in 2005 joined other provinces and American states in creating an animal welfare act. Quebec had been a haven for inhumane breeders with little legislation. The lack of legislatio resulted in 2200 unregulated puppy mills in Quebec, that breed up to 400,000 dogs per year. These puppies were shipped all over North America to pet stores and wholesalers.

The animal welfare law, Bill P-42 grants the right of inspection - the ability to investigate a breeding operation without a warrant, provides for fines of up to $15,000 and allows courts to bar the guilty from owning pets for only up to two years. Anima-Quebec, a nonprofit animal welfare group in Quebec City, was given the mandate to enforce this new law. Anima Quebec has fewer than seven inspectors and government funding of only $150,000, making it hard to inspect the 1500-2200 puppy mills currently found in Quebec, especially considering Ontario’s team of 300 inspectors (working with a $40 million annual budget) finds it difficult to keep up with Ontario’s puppy mills. It’s clear that Anima Quebec has its work cut out for it. To help stop puppy mills in Quebec and across North America you can:

(1) Sign this petition declaring your support for a national ban on puppy mills and stronger laws for animal protection.
(2) Write to politicians about banning puppies in pet stores.
(3) NEVER buy a puppy from a pet store.
(4) Adopt a dog from your local humane society, shelter or rescue club.
(5) NEVER adopt a puppy on impulse. Always careful make the decision with your entire family about having a dog, as it is a decision you live with for the next ten to fifteen years. In addition always research the breed to determine if what you can provide will fit the dogs needs.
(6) Spaying and neutering your dogs.
(7) If you suspect a puppy mill operation contact local authorities, such as a humane society.
(8) Spread the message and educate others about these horrible operations. Urge people to adopt puppies from shelters rather than from pet stores, etc. Write letters to the editor about puppy mills and pet stores explaining the mills' inhumane treatment of puppies and their contribution to pet overpopulation.