What is the Visitors Center's stance on commercial breeding kennels in Lancaster County?

The Pennsylvania Dutch Convention and Visitors Bureau strongly supports efforts to ensure that the inhumane conditions in large-scale Lancaster County breeding kennels are swiftly brought to a halt by state officials.

PA Dutch CVB President & CEO Christopher Barrett is adamant that "Change can't happen fast enough. What's happening in these kennels is atrocious."

The PA Dutch CVB and many of Lancaster's citizens have long advocated for the elimination of these commercial breeding kennels.

"We applaud Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell's work in recent years to resolve this problem, and his pledge to further step up this effort," he says.

"The problem really needs to be addressed from two ends," according to Barrett. First, he implores consumers to make educated decisions about where and how to find a pet.

"The quickest way to eliminate the problem is to cut off the demand," he says.  Many of these dogs are wholesaled to pet stores around the country; others are sold via the Internet. It's important to ask questions and know where a puppy has come from."

He offers the Humane Society of the United States website as a great place for consumers to start. "The site provides a wealth of excellent information on everything from Adopting from an Animal Shelter and Finding a Good Dog Breeder to Buying a Puppy and Choosing the Right Dog."

"Second," says Barrett, "the state needs to enact regulations and ensure an adequate number of capable inspectors to enforce compliance with those regulations at commercial kennels. Bad breeders should be put out of business immediately and permanently. There are no two ways about it."

Individuals concerned about the welfare of dogs in Pennsylvania kennels should contact the state at RA-doglaw@state.pa.us.

House Bill 2525 vote seems imminent

Bill addresses care of dogs living in commercial breeding kennels

The PA House of Representatives could vote on House Bill 2525 as early as this week. Several amendments in the Agriculture and Rural Affairs committee are intended to ensure that this bill is fair to kennel owners while providing major improvements to the lives of dogs.

We join the Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell in urging you to make your voice heard. The members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives need to hear from those who want to see improvements to commercial breeding kennels. Call today. Click here for contact information and to learn more about this legislation.