Pet owners disagree with pet-sale bans

By an overwhelming margin, America's dog and cat owners say the best way to crack down on illegal puppy mill operators is not to ban the sale of dogs and cats at local pet stores, as a handful of local communities have done, but rather to enact and enforce tougher breeder standards (67.3%).

READ MORE: What's next for retail bans and commercial breeding? 

The Pet Leadership Council, a coalition of pet industry leaders championing responsible pet ownership, commissioned Harris Poll to conduct an online survey of more than 2,000 U.S. adults ages 18 and older to determine American's views on puppy mill regulations. 

READ MORE: APPA Board Approves Formation of New Pet Leadership Council

Highlights of the poll include: 

• Nine in ten (89%) U.S. adults say the solution to puppy mills is to have tougher breeder standards that crack down on illegal operators
• Four in five (81%) U.S. adults say banning dog sales entirely at pet stores will not stop puppy mills from continuing
• 92% of U.S. adults report follow-up visits to breeders are needed to ensure regulations are being followed to avoid puppy mills 
• Over six in ten (63%) U.S. adults own a pet: 59% own a cat and/or dog

READ MORE: How best to eliminate puppy mills? Pet owners prefer tougher breeder standards over pet-sale bans

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