“Families Across America Deserve Transparency When Bringing a New Pet into Their Home, And Breeders Should Be Held to a Basic Standard of Accountability.”
Legislation Empowers Consumers and Cracks Down on Unregulated Puppy and Kitten Mills
WASHINGTON — Congressman Vern Buchanan, co-chair of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, recently joined Congresswoman Deborah Ross (D-N.C.) to reintroduce the Petfax Act. The legislation would improve transparency in pet sales by giving families the information they need to identify whether an animal came from a high-volume breeder, problematic dealer or puppy or kitten mill-type supply chain.
The Petfax Act would require that pet purchasers be provided with a “Petfax” report detailing the conditions in which the animal was bred and raised. The bill would also establish stricter criteria for obtaining and maintaining licenses to sell pets, helping to ensure that only legitimate and responsible sellers are allowed to operate in the industry.
“When you buy a car, you get a Carfax report detailing its full history. Adopting a pet should be no different,” said Buchanan. “Families across America deserve transparency when bringing a new pet into their home, and breeders should be held to a basic standard of accountability. The Petfax Act gives consumers the facts they need to make informed decisions and cracks down on inhumane puppy and kitten mills. As co-chair of the Animal Protection Caucus, I am proud to once again partner with Congresswoman Ross on this commonsense, bipartisan legislation.”
“Dog lovers across the country are unknowingly subsidizing bad breeders who mistreat animals because they don’t have access to the basic facts they need to make informed decisions,” said Ross. “Congress needs to step in to ensure that adopters aren’t kept in the dark about the history and breeding of their animals. The Petfax Act will require that prospective pet owners receive essential information about their new family members, a step that will promote greater transparency and more responsible practices in the industry. As a proud dog owner, I remain committed to creating a future where every pet finds a loving home through ethical and informed choices.”
Experts estimate there are at least 10,000 puppy mills operating in the United States, the vast majority of which are unregulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These inhumane commercial breeding facilities often sell animals in pet stores or online without disclosing key information about an animal’s history or health problems to potential adopters. By requiring disclosure of the history and health of animals to buyers, the Petfax Act will enforce transparency and accountability among breeders and sellers, and promote better treatment and breeding practices
Buchanan, who co-chairs the Animal Protection Caucus in Congress, is a leading advocate for protecting endangered species and ending animal cruelty, introducing and co-sponsoring dozens of important animal measures. He is also a two-time recipient of the Humane Society’s “Legislator of the Year” award, winning the award in 2015 and 2020.
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