Oppose Harmful Bill That Could Fuel Puppy Mill Cruelty in Missouri

MO H.B. 630—Creates Pet Shop Provisions

ASPCA Position: Oppose

Sponsor: Rep. Jeff Knight

Update—March 15, 2023: The state's dangerous bill, H.B. 995, has been amended into H.B. 630 and passed the Missouri House of Representatives, bringing it one step closer to becoming law. This bill would have disasterous consequences for dogs and far-reaching negative impacts on animal welfare throughout the state. There's still time to stop it, but your voice is needed TODAY! Please contact your state senator and urge them to oppose H.B. 630.

The newly amended bill (H.B. 630) seeks to strip local governments of their power to regulate the sale of animals in pet stores. If passed, it would enable cruel commercial dog breeders to continue profiting in your community and disregard local elected officials who have made progress on behalf of constituents like you!

For 10 consecutive years, Missouri has been home to the most puppy mills in the country. If this bill becomes law, it will be even harder to fix Missouri’s puppy mill problem.

More About Puppy Mills

Most puppies sold in stores come from puppy mills—horrible facilities where dogs are often kept in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions without adequate veterinary care, food, water or socialization. A few states and hundreds of local governments across the nation have enacted laws to keep cruelly bred puppies out of their stores, but puppy mills are fighting back. Their lobbyists are pressuring state legislatures to pass dangerous bills like this one, which block cities and counties from prohibiting the retail sale of puppies in their communities, protecting the interests of the puppy mill industry.

What You Can Do

Today, use the brief form below to send a pre-drafted message to your state senator urging them to oppose this bill!

Advocacy Alert

Your Message

Subject Please Oppose H.B. 630

Dear Lawmaker,

Message

As your constituent, I am writing to ask you to oppose H.B. 630, which would protect the cruel puppy mill industry and strip local governments of their ability to reject the sale of inhumanely bred dogs in their communities.

As you may know, most puppies sold in pet stores come from commercial dog breeding facilities, also known as puppy mills, where dogs live confined in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions without adequate veterinary care, food, water or socialization. In addition to the inhumane treatment, dogs living in such poor conditions produce puppies who may suffer from health and behavioral problems. Families are often left unprepared for the financial and emotional consequences of caring for a sick dog.

The amendment to H.B. 630 is designed to allow puppy-selling pet stores in Missouri to continue sourcing from these inhumane commercial breeding facilities and strip municipalities in Missouri of their local power to meaningfully address this issue. Out of respect for the authority of my local lawmakers to act in our community’s best interests, please oppose H.B. 630 as amended. The overwhelming majority of pet stores nationwide do not sell dogs and cats, proving that stores can thrive without cruelty. I respectfully ask that you please oppose any version of H.B. 630 that would strip the ability of local governments to enact meaningful laws aimed at protecting communities from those who sell sick, cruelly bred puppy mill dogs.

Thank you for your time and consideration of this important issue.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]
[Your Address]

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