Target: Charlie Baker, Governor of Massachusetts
Goal: Ban the sale of puppies and kittens under 8 weeks old and stop separating these baby animals from their mothers.
The standard acceptable time frame for selling puppies and kittens–whether this be from a pet store or breeder–is typically 8 weeks of age. Sometimes, less reputable stores and breeders will allow their animals to be adopted at an even earlier age. However, while puppies and kittens stop weaning at about 6-8 weeks, this does not signify that they are ready to leave their mothers or fellow littermates.
Puppies and kittens separated too early from their mothers and siblings are at risk for developmental, temperamental, and health complications later on in life. There are many important lessons to be learned from the species-specific contact between a puppy or kitten and their mothers and littermates, including restraint, dominance, and patience. If these animals are separated too early, it could result in destructive behaviors, separation anxiety, or biting. The recommended ages for adopting out are actually 8-9 weeks for puppies and 12-24 weeks for kittens.
Nearly 25 states have rules to prevent the sale of puppies and kittens under 8 weeks, and at least another 10 have laws instating penalties against anyone who sells a puppy or a kitten any earlier than 8 weeks. Bill S. 1322, recently proposed in Massachusetts, would strengthen current restrictions against selling these animals before they are fully ready. This bill would help to protect the health and safety of puppies and kittens across Massachusetts, and would help owners avoid buying an animal that may show signs of anxiety or aggression later on.
Sign this petition to encourage Massachusetts legislators to enact this bill and to prompt other towns and cities across the country to do the same.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Governor Baker,
Separating puppies and kittens from their mothers and littermates at too early an age can have serious consequences later in life. For example, puppies and kittens taken from their families before the age of 8 weeks are at risk of increased behavioral, developmental, and health problems. This in turn makes it harder on owners, as their pets are more likely to display negative behaviors, such as biting.
Recently, Bill S. 1322 was proposed in Massachusetts to legally counter this unnecessary practice. Under this bill, restrictions against selling puppies and kittens before they are ready would be strengthened. This bill, if passed, will help better protect these animals and their to-be owners in the process. We are urging you, Governor Baker, to please pass this bill and ban the sale of puppies and kittens under 8 weeks old. Babies need their mothers, no matter the species.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Nom d’util
Ban all pet breeding until the shelters are empty.
100% AGREE!
ABSOLUTELY CORRECT!!!
Totalmente de acuerdo contigo Kerry!!!
I think they should be shut down for good! Being in animal rescue for almost 20 years i have seen too much shut. There are purebred cats and dogs in shelters because they were not perfect.
Absolutely!!
Amen sister!!!
🙂
100% yes
TOTALLY AGREE!
Yes!
This is horrible to take animals away from their mothers to make a quick buck.
I agree with Kerry, ban all sales of animals until the shelters are empty!!
!GREAT IDEA KELLY!
Tammy – I agree “Ban all sales of the precious and innocent animals until the shelters are empty!!
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There should be a moratorium for several years on Breeders and Pet Stores – stop selling animals!!! Half end up at the shelter sooner or later, dumped and at risk of dying. Follow the money… LA City politicians issued over 12,000 Breeder’s permits last year and all the while, its against their own law to NOT spay neuter pets. Why do they get away with it? Follow the money.
The greatness of a nation and its MORAL PROGRESS can be judged by the way it treats its animals.
WE ARE NOT MORAL.
exactly. and animals are not given the respect they rightfully deserve just like humans
I strongly agree that cats, dogs, kittens, and puppies should not be sold. They should be adopted into good, loving homes when they are old enough. Also, people should not pull these babies away from their mothers and siblings. If they are attached, consider adopting two babies together by or the mother of and a baby.
The shelters should be emptied – all animals deserve and need loving homes. Breeders should be stopped.
Very inhuman
Here we go again…another issue where human greed and profit is put ahead of animal welfare! Taking puppies and kittens away from their Mothers too early is proven to be detrimental to the entire well being of the puppy or kitten, which in turn affects their owners. That should be enough to pass the bill to ban the practice of selling puppies and kittens under 8 weeks old!
I agree that puppies and kittens should not be taken away from their mothers and litter mates too soon. I hope this law takes effect nationwide.
It is already bad enough we take them away from their mamas’ but at the very least I feel they should be 3 months old!!! None of us would like it if it was one of ours!!!
BREEDERS are CRIMINAL MINDS without compassion.
The WELL-BEING of animal BABIES is more important than DISGUSTING GREEDY PROFITS.
I agree.
I agree!!
As a Resident of a neighboring State to Massachusetts, it is hard to believe that Legislation for this issue has not passed long ago. Five years ago I learned that the State of Massachusetts has no Laws on the books to protect young baby kittens and puppies from being sold under 8 weeks old. So young that they are barely developed. Not only are they being sold at 4 and 5 weeks, but shady breeders from Massachusetts go online to purchase bogus Health Certificates and write in bogus vaccination dates and bogus dates of birth. It is pathetic that the State of Massachusetts allows these tiny little babies to be ripped apart from their Mothers and Siblings at such a young age. A Law so simple to include on the books yet these innocent babies have been ignored for years by the very people who are supposed to be good stewards to the animal World. It suggests that the Land of Massachusetts is of “shady” ground.
I think those gutless bastards were test-tube babies!
Agree with Kerry…
Save all the animals in shelters on streets etc before any more breeding.
This is completely unacceptable.
ALL PUPPIES AND KITTENS NEED TO STAY WITH THEIR MOMMAS UNTIL THEY ALL ARE 8 WEEKS OLD!!! It’s CRUEL TO SEPARATE PUPPIES AND KITTENS FROM MOMMAS BEFORE 8 WEEKS OLD!!!!!
Charlie Baker, Governor of Massachusetts
Ban the sale of the innocent and helpless puppies and kittens under 8 weeks old and stop separating these precious and innocent baby animals from their mothers.
ALL PUPPIES AND KITTENS NEED TO STAY WITH THEIR MOMMAS UNTIL THEY ALL ARE 8 WEEKS OLD!!! It’s CRUEL TO SEPARATE PUPPIES AND KITTENS FROM MOMMAS BEFORE 8 WEEKS OLD!!!!!
Abolish the breeding of any animal.Adopt a companion, the shelters are full of babies that need homes!
STOP NOW!!!! CRUEL AND INHUMANE!!!