Looking Ahead - November State Elections Dogs can't speak. We are their voice.

It's not too early to start thinking of the state general elections in November!

In order to get better laws for companion animals, we need to get the right people elected who support our efforts.

How do we do this, you ask?? Simple! VOTE FOR THEM!!!

Below are highlights of some candidates who we believe will support companion animal issues.





Sara Sedlacek - State House District #88

Sarah Sedlacek is running for House Representative in State House district #88 (map). District #88 is in SE Iowa and includes Des Moines county (except the city of Burlington), Louisa county and most of Muscatine county.

Sara is an intelligent, hardworking, honest woman who would serve her constituents well. She'd also support our efforts in the capitol to get better laws to protect dogs.

She's running against the incumbent, Rep. Tom Sands. Rep. Sands has been one of the most stubborn opponents to our efforts. If dogs could vote they'd vote for Sara. Please share this with everyone you know who lives in SE Iowa.

Please visit her website to learn more. Register Your Supprt for PUPS Bill
The Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety (PUPS) Act

The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) is the list of "rules / laws" that the USDA enforces when inspecting commercial breeders. Currently there is a loop hole in this law that allows commercial breeders to sell dogs directly to the public over the internet with no oversite.

The PUPS bill will ammend the AWA in order to close this loophole. This is a HUGE and desperately needed update that will affect breeders in EVERY STATE! But we need your help!!

Please go to the PUPVOX links (below) to show your support of this bill. There are 2 links - 1 for the Senate version of the bill and 1 for the House version. You need to support both. Currently the number of those who oppose this bill on the site is greater than those who do support it by a very big margin. We can change that VERY quickly with your help!!!

  1. House Bill H.R. 835 - House Version of the PUPS bill
  2. Senate Bill S. 707 - Senate Version of the PUPS bill

INSTRUCTIONS For the POPVOX page
  1. Click on one of the links (above)to open the POPVOX page.
  2. Click on the "join or login" link at the top of the page.
  3. Click on the "register an account" link right above the log in form.
  4. Create an individual account.
  5. Click on the link that is emailed to you to activate your account and then click on the "SUPPORT" button.
  6. Go to the other link (above)
  7. Click on the "SUPPORT" button for this version of the bill (you're already logged in, so no need to repeat steps 2-4).
That's it. 2 minutes and you're done!

USDA Increasing Efforts

Last May the Inspector Generals office released a horrendous report stating that the USDA was not doing it's job of enforcing the Animal Welfare Act. We have summarized this report and provided a link to the USDA report on the Puppy Mills / USDA Inspection Investigation page.

As a result of this report, the USDA has been increasing their efforts to do the job that they they should have been doing in the first place. We know of several breeders that are being closely scrutinized by the USDA right now.
Featured Pictures
Severely (and painfully) matted and covered in urine and feces, she lives in the dark.
Severely matted with a cloudy eye, she lives in the dark. Bob Mehmert kennel, West Point, IA.


This is the width of the cage where she lives 24/7. The barrel is her only shelter from the wind, snow, rain and heat. Betty Porter kennel, Cumberland, IA


Mill dogs commonly live their lives in small, dirty cages covered in excrement. Dean Dekkers kennel, Ireton, IA.