To the Editor,

Rhode Island House Speaker Joe Shekarchi loves his dog and your pet as well. He has been a steadfast advocate for pets and people.

Speaker Shekarchi championed the Rhode Island Puppy Mill law (H.6168) to protect animals and consumers alike from the cruel and deceptive practices associated with puppy mills.

A puppy mill (or kitten mill) is an inhumane, high-volume breeding facility that churns out puppies solely for profit, ignoring the needs of the animals. Dogs from puppy mills frequently are sick and unsocialized. Mother dogs spend their entire lives in cramped cages where they are forced to sleep in their own waste. When the mother and father dogs can no longer breed, they typically are abandoned or killed.

Puppy mills usually are located in Midwestern states, and puppies are trucked into New England to be sold. Instead of sourcing kittens or puppies from these out-of-state commercial breeders, Rhode Island consumers are now encouraged to consider humane sources like animal shelters, rescues or responsible local breeders in the Ocean State.

Constituents who care about protecting dogs and cats from cruelty and abuse should applaud House Speaker Shekarchi for his leadership on these issues.

David Balmer

Senior Director of Philanthropy

Humane Society Legislative Fund

Washington, DC