Sun(ny) Should Shine Light on Federal Dog Policies

Let us add our congratulations and best wishes to the newest First Dog, Sunny. Cheers all around.

As the keeper of a new rescue—a six-year-old beagle mix named Lily—I know the joys of having a new pet in one’s life. Lily has doubled the number of daily smiles and laughter in my life. Only occasionally are there more exhales and other signs of exasperation!

Sunny
Official White House Photo

The White House announcement that Bo now has a little sister to romp with did not provide detail about Sunny’s background, except to say she is 14 months old and was born in Michigan.

As we always say in such circumstances, we hope the Obamas considered adoption or rescue as the first choice in obtaining a pet. We are pleased to learn that the First Family made a donation in Sunny’s name to the Washington Humane Society, which shows the family’s awareness of and concern for the problem of homeless dogs and cats in our nation.

With Sunny in the limelight today, we take the opportunity to express to the President our hope that he will make dogs not just a family priority, but a national policy priority too.

His Administration has promulgated two rules to reduce the suffering of dogs who wind up being sold in retail commerce. One rule would prevent the importation of dogs from puppy mills in foreign countries for sale here until they are at least six months old (part of its regulatory responsibility after The HSUS worked to include a provision banning imports in the 2008 Farm Bill). The other would close a loopholeand requires Internet sellers of puppy mill dogs to be licensed and inspected by the USDA—which came at The HSUS’s request in the wake of a searing USDA Office of Inspector General review of deficiencies in federal Animal Welfare Act enforcement efforts.

Both are small steps that can make real differences in the lives of dogs who are not so fortunate as Bo and Sunny. We’ve been anxiously awaiting the final rules, and they’ve been a long time in coming. It’s time for the White House to make these policies law. No more delays.

For those not familiar with the economics of dogs, remember that puppy mills are the primary source of dogs sold in pet stores and online, and also a source of great misery. A far better alternative for those who want a pet is to find aresponsible breeder or, better yet, visit a rescue or shelter—where dogs of specific breeds or mixed-breeds, as well as dogs with special qualities—are waiting for a home.