The Commercial Breeder Act Passed in Tennessee

Taken from ASPCA

"TN SB 258/HB 386—The Commercial Breeder Act
Sponsor(s): Senator Doug Jackson / Rep. Janis Sontany, Rep. Debra Maggart
ASPCA Position: Support ...

Update—June 19, 2009: Great news, Tennessee! This week, SB 258/HB 386 passed the Tennessee General Assembly nearly unanimously! The new law will be called the Commercial Breeder Act, and it goes into effect January 1, 2010.

After three recent, large-scale puppy mill busts in Tennessee (the ASPCA was the lead agency on one of them), it was clear that the state needed new legislation to address the humane care of dogs and cats living in commercial breeding facilities.

The newly passed Commercial Breeder Act is humane legislation that will also protect consumers. It mandates the creation of a licensing and regulatory program to ensure that humane standards of care are met for dogs and cats in commercial breeding operations where 20 or more breeding female dogs or cats are kept and used to produce offspring for sale to the public. The act requires breeding facilities to keep proper records, obtain licenses and submit to annual inspections. It also requires breeders to operate as legitimate businesses by complying with state sales tax rules.

Kudos to the members of the Tennessee General Assembly for taking this issue seriously and for passing legislation that will protect both consumers and animals from unethical and inhumane breeding practices. The next step for this legislation is the governor’s desk!

... Thank you, Tennessee—together, we made a difference!"

Posted By:

Dawn Kairns
Author of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life
www.dawnkairns.com
www.maggiethedogwhochangedmylife.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/themaggiebook