INDIANAPOLIS – House Bill 1412, recently signed into law in Indiana, is causing a stir as it requires breeders to register with the Indiana State Board of Animal Health and establishes health and safety standards. While proponents argue that the law streamlines regulations, critics, including the Humane Society and other animal rights groups, contend that it infringes on local government authority to regulate pet stores and combat the sale of animals from alleged “puppy mills.”
Samantha Chapman, the Indiana State Director of the Humane Society of the United States, expressed her concern, calling it a “ridiculous overstep of local control.” She explained that the new law would overturn 21 local ordinances across the state that previously regulated or banned pet stores.
Cities such as Indianapolis, Bloomington, and Carmel have implemented local ordinances aimed at limiting pet store sales. Chapman emphasized that the primary purpose of the bill was to reverse these local regulations concerning the sale of dogs and cats in retail establishments.
Under the new law, pet stores are required to source from USDA-licensed breeders without direct violations in the last two years. However, the Humane Society argued that the USDA rarely issues violations despite conditions they deem inhumane.
Chapman asserted that responsible breeders do not sell their dogs to pet stores, highlighting concerns about the rushed sales model in pet stores. According to her, such stores often fail to perform due diligence, leading to potential issues for the pets and their owners.
The Humane Society emphasized the importance of a good breeder meeting the family and allowing them to return the dog if it’s not a good fit, a practice they argue is not adhered to by puppy-selling pet stores. The organization expressed worries about the potential increase in surrendered dogs ending up in local shelters.
One notable aspect of concern is the absence of additional funding to enforce the new health and safety regulations or to support shelters that may experience a surge in pets. Chapman raised the issue of the lack of state funding for animal control, expressing frustration over the state preempting localities without providing necessary resources.
While the authors of the bill were contacted for comment, no response was received. The law is scheduled to take effect on July 1. Those seeking information about Humane Society-recommended breeders are encouraged to refer to the Canine Care Certified national certification program managed by Purdue University or explore the American Kennel Club directory of responsible breeders.
