DEADLINE TO SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS EXTENDED PUPPY MILL DOGS NEED YOUR HELP!!! AUGUST 15 IS NEW DEADLINE TO FILE YOUR COMMENTS TO THE USDA SPREAD THE WORD TODAY! Due to the large number of comments being submitted to the USDA over the weekend, the server crashed. In response, the USDA has extended their deadline to receive comments to August 15. View more information on this extension here. We need you to help us spread the word! USDA needs to hear from you by August 15th in reference to their new proposed rules that would require breeders who sell puppies over the Internet to be federally licensed and regulated by the U. S. Department of Agriculture. This is critical since Missouri is home to more commercial dog breeders than any other state. Many so called e-mills are circumventing federal regulations and federal oversight by selling over the Internet. Currently, a federal license is required only if one sells to pet stores. The AKC is generating many comments from dog breeders. We need to offset these comments. The USDA needs to hear from as many animal advocates as possible. We urgently need you to send your comments to the USDA in SUPPORT of these new rule changes. Please tell USDA that you agree with their proposed rules and that it is important that they inspect all large-scale commercial breeders of dogs and cats whether they sell to pet stores or to consumers via the Internet. Submit your comments electronically by going to the federal rule making portal: Click here All comments must be received by August 15, 2012 You can make one or more of the following points in your comments: The proposed rules are necessary to ensure that all breeding animals are monitored for their health and humane treatment regardless if their puppies are sold in pet stores or over the Internet. The proposed rules will protect consumers who purchase a puppy sight unseen over the Internet and will help ensure that they receive a healthy puppy. These rules will help encourage dog breeders to open their doors to the public so buyers can see the conditions in which their new puppy is raised or be subject to inspections by USDA. These rules will help concentrate the regulatory efforts of USDA on those facilities that present the greatest risk to the welfare of the animals. These rules will hold breeders accountable to normal sensible regulations that good reputable breeders are already doing and will not place an undue burden on any responsible breeder. Please thank USDA for proposing these rules and encourage them to implement them as written. This is your opportunity to truly make a difference for the animals. The puppy millers are already sending letters of protest to USDA. We need you to refute any such attempts to weaken USDA's proposed new rules. Thank you for contacting USDA on this critical matter. The dogs and cats who suffer in inhumane breeding facilities are deeply appreciative.