This video below(shot by Lauren Kennedy) is the beginning of the end of Little Paws pet shop in Scarborough in 2013. Three puppies had died of the parvo virus.
In a movement we all hope will spread like wildfire, the advocacy group Maine Citizens Against Puppy Mills (MCAPM) is working on a bill that, if passed, will make Maine the first state in the United States to ban the sales of dogs and cats in any pet store.
The group has been working toward this goal since 2011, says Lynne Fracassi, Founder of MCAPM.
“I had been researching the large scale breeding industry since 1999 and decided something had to be done to end the sales of pups/kittens in all Maine pet shops,” says Fracassi. “It was time. Peaceful protests started in Scarborough with Lynne, and a very sick pup owner that purchased a pup from the Scarborough pet shop.”
The movement grew quickly and now boosts over 2500 members.
The Numbers
Fracassi says that last year, over 750 dogs and cats were sold in Maine pet shops. The good news, this is down from around 1500 the year before, due to the closing of two pet shops in 2013/14. There are still five remaining pet-selling shops in Maine. According to Fracassi, one of them mass produces their own pups for sale in a separate store front.
Overall, there are approximately 9,000 pet shops in the United States that sell mill puppies and kittens, she adds.
The Bill
In 2012, MCAPM partnered with Maine Friends of Animals, an animal welfare/legislative group. Together, they decided to wait for legistlative session that started January 2015.
“It seemed so far away, so we started going town by town try to get ordinances passed…to no avail,” explains Fracassi. “A citizens initiative must be filed to submit a bill, the bill language must be drafted, one must find a legislative sponsor for the bill, then it must be submitted by the states deadline.”
This last week, on March 5, they had their hearing the bill LD #355, “”AN ACT TO PROHIBIT THE SALES OF DOGS AND CATS IN PET SHOPS”.
Here is Fracassis account of the hearing:
Thirty or more animal advocated were at the hearing to testify for this bill, with another fifteen or so who submitted written testimony.
There were six opposing. Two pet shop owners, a manager of one pet shop, two members of PIJAC/Calvary groups and a woman who stood up to testify about “choices” on where she can get a pup..
Our testimonies went very well, we had every base covered: Reputable veterinarians, dog behaviorists, reputable breeders, pet supply store owners, State Reps., Senators, an animal control officer, etc.
A Continuing Fight
Obviously, they haven’t won yet. They need to continue to build support. If you live in Maine and want to help, please contact them, like their Facebook page, and about all, spread the message.
“The education about this issue has been key,” says Fracassis. “Protests and educational events have raised awareness and will continue to do so.”
MCAPM’s will be kicking off an online pup/kit sales educational campaign this weekend at The Animal House in Westbrook, Maine.
(H/T: wgme.com)
