Iowa Ag Connection - Culver Signs Legislation Protecting Companion Animals

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Culver Signs Legislation Protecting Companion Animals
Iowa Ag Connection - 03/10/2010

Governor Chet Culver Tuesday signed into law House File 2280, which allows the state of Iowa to make sure animals raised as pets are treated humanely at breeding facilities.

By modifying the regulation of non-farm animals by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, HF 2280 expands protections of the state's 20,000 dogs currently in breeding operations to ensure they are treated humanely. Under the new law, IDALS will issue "certificates of registration" for breeding facilities, and will be empowered to enforce the terms of the certification. The law clarifies that IDALS has the authority to enter a federally licensed breeding facility upon a complaint to ensure the health and welfare of the animals there.

"The good news is the vast majority of animal shelters, pet shops, kennels and breeders obey the existing animal protection laws, and those facilities have nothing to fear from this legislation," Governor Culver said. "But for any facility operating as a 'puppy mill' or raising companion animals in unhygienic and inhumane settings, now is the time to change course, or pay the consequences. This law expands protections of vulnerable animals, and provides assurance to Iowa families that the pets they adopt are healthy, clean, and have been raised humanely."

The new protections will be implemented with limited expense to shelters, commercial kennels, and pet stores, while at the same time guaranteeing a "stamp of approval" by the state for their quality of animal care. Commercial establishments, including breeders, dealers and pet shops, will pay a fee $175 per year, which will help fund state inspectors.

"I would like to thank all the responsible breeders in Iowa who raise the pets that enrich Iowans' lives," Governor Culver said. "Today is a great step forward in protecting pet owners by making sure all companion animals raised in Iowa are healthy and safe."