Let's get the facts straight!

There is not doubt among the NC State legislature that 2010 will be a historic session.
Not only is 2010 a short session, only 2 months, but it's an election year. Election is one of my favorite words because it's a constituents only chance to "persuade" legislators to vote for bills.
This year, S460, The Puppy Mill Bill will be voted on by the house if it passes through committee. When the 2009 session ended, the 2 hot topics were the state budget and (drum roll, please) the Puppy Mill Bill - which passed by 1 vote!!!! Let's face it, this year legislators need your vote as much as you need theirs.

Therefore, now is a great time to put the FACTS out there about NC animal welfare legislation. If you haven't heard, the Puppy Mill Bill has fierce opposition. They are ruthless and will stop at nothing to make sure the bill doesn't pass. Why, you ask? Ask them. It's a common sense piece of legislation regulating puppy mills.
The facts are simply this:
- S460 will regulate the breeding of dogs for commerce.
- Commercial dog breeders will be required to purchase a license prior to operation.
- S460 defines a commercial breeder as anyone with 15 or more intact adult female dogs used for the purpose of breeding.
- AND 30 or more puppies for sale.
- That's 15 or more intact adult female dogs and 30 or more puppies for sale.
- Kennels and boarding facilities established for the purpose of training, hunting, sporting, herding, or guide dogs will be exempt.
- Penalties are established for failure to comply with statutory provisions effective on or after May 1, 2010.

These are the cold, hard facts taken from the verbiage of the bill. If you hear otherwise, it's not true. After the bill passed through the Senate, it was revised. So, everyone needs to meet with their House Rep AND Senator before session starts to ensure the passage of this historic piece of legislation. Please email info@pawty.org with for more info for tips on how to have an effective meeting. Don't forget to keep your legislators informed about bills after session starts on May 12. Remember, while we are telling legislators to vote yes, the opposition is telling them to vote no. We can't stop until the bill is passed!