The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced new regulations Tuesday intended to crack down on Internet puppy mills, based upon legislation written by Rep. Sam Farr (D-Carmel).
“By a small rule change, the USDA has taken a huge step toward regulating and reforming online puppy mills,” said Farr in a statement.
The new regulations would close a loophole that allowed traditional brick and mortar pet stores to be exempt from federal regulations that online dog breeders were using, claiming they were pet stores as defined by law. Additionally, the regulations define a retail pet store as a “place of business or residence” where animals are “physically present” for sale.
