Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vern Buchanan, co-chairman of the Animal Protection Caucus, and Congresswoman Deborah Ross (D-NC) introduced bipartisan legislation to increase transparency in the pet buying process and crack down on inhumane dog breeding facilities.

Specifically, the Petfax Act would require those who sell pets to provide a “Petfax” report detailing the conditions in which the animal was bred and raised, as well as the animal's health history. The bill would also create stricter criteria for obtaining and maintaining licenses to sell pets and ensure that only legitimate and responsible sellers are allowed to operate in the industry. This legislation would not affect mom-and-pop dog breeders as it only applies to those with five or more female breeding animals.

In the United States, it is estimated that there are at least 10,000 puppy mills. These inhumane commercial dog breeding facilities may sell animals in pet stores or online without disclosing an animal’s history or health problems to potential adopters. Specifically, puppy mills are inhumane dog breeding facilities that may sell puppies in pet stores, online or directly to the public. Puppies who have been raised in these poor conditions or have not received proper veterinary care often suffer from illnesses or parasites that are transmissible to humans, and diseases can spread rapidly at open-air venues like flea markets.

By divulging the history and health of the animal to pet buyers, the Petfax Act will increase transparency and accountability among breeders and sellers to promote better treatment and breeding practices for animals.

“Whenever you buy a car, it usually comes with a detailed “Carfax” report detailing the vehicle history, such as owner maintenance, accidents, and overall condition. Adopting a pet should be no different,” said Congressman Buchanan.  “That is why I am pleased to introduce the Petfax Act with Congresswoman Ross to require those who sell pets to provide a “Petfax” report outlining the animal’s health history. Cracking down on these unsanitary and inhumane puppy mills is an essential step in ensuring a safe and healthy future in the animal buying process.

“Far too many animals suffer from inhumane conditions, but adopters are kept in the dark about the animal’s history and where it was bred,” said Congresswoman Deborah Ross. “This bipartisan bill is a crucial step towards ensuring prospective pet owners are equipped with essential information about their new family member and promotes transparency among breeders and sellers, fostering responsible practices within the industry. I’m grateful for the partnership of Congressman Buchanan on this critical issue. As a proud dog owner, I remain committed to creating a future where every pet finds a loving home through ethical and informed choices.”

"I spent more than $5,000 on veterinary care, including tests, infection medication, and vet hospitalization, soon after purchasing a Cocker spaniel from a pet store,” said Evangeline McDonald, a dog owner from Tucson, Arizona. “That is an unacceptable outcome and not an expense that anyone should bear after paying so much for a dog. Our nation needs to require disclosure of the type of breeding operation that produced the dog, alert consumers of breeders with animal-care violations, give the full medical record of the pet, and provide consumer warranties without loopholes that allow the sale of unfit dogs as "new puppies". I fully support the Petfax Act to protect me, other would-be pet owners, and the dogs themselves.”

Buchanan is a leading advocate for protecting endangered species and ending animal cruelty, introducing several important animal measures, including the PACT ACT, the nation’s first federal animal cruelty law. This legislation banned extreme forms of animal cruelty and torture. Most recently, his legislation to end government-mandated animal testing to determine a drug’s human efficacy was signed into law.