North Carolina has earned a new title; one I’m not too proud of. The Humane Society of the United States has crowned our state a “high volume” puppy mill state. Over half our nation’s states have some form of legislative protection for breeding puppies and kittens. Not North Carolina. That’s why puppy mills are booming here. And we’ve got to change that.
The primary responsibility for ensuring breeding dogs and cats lies within each state. Commercial breeders understand these laws and migrate to more legally lax areas to set up their pens and crates. As Midwestern states began to crack down on inhumane puppy mills, North Carolina became their next safe haven. The Brunswick County bust knocked out only one of dozens of deplorable depots of what I’d consider abusive animal care. Change can begin as easily as passing some simple ordinances.
When I arrived in Brunswick County 20 years ago, one of the first things I did was meet the Animal Control (now Animal Services) director. I told him of my background working for an HSUS-run county animal shelter and asked how I could help. That led to me teaching shelter personnel how to administer injectable euthanasia, a practice not actively being performed at the time (and we still have work to do). As I became friends with the director, I began asking why Brunswick County didn’t have pet licenses. I’m against excessive government fees and taxes in general, but the history of implementing “dog licenses” has been universally beneficial to communities that implement them. Surely Brunswick County agreed? I was told, and later found out personally, that many were against any form of “dog licenses.” But surely a minimal fee ($5-10) license for spayed and neutered dogs (and preferably cats) would help reduce unwanted litters, promote responsible pet ownership, and provide much needed funding for county animal services projects? Nope, not gonna happen. And 20 years later it still hasn’t happened.
But there’s hope. With national media attention focused on Brunswick County after the horrific puppy mill story, maybe now’s the time to clean up the dog and cat mess in Brunswick County and North Carolina.
First, I propose we clean our own doghouse by enacting a simple pet license. New Hanover County charges $10 a year or $25 for three years for spayed/neutered dogs and cats, and $20 and $50 for unaltered pets. Myrtle Beach charges $5 and $20 per year respectively. These funds can help with our shelter (how many pages of ink must be spilled on complaints?) and allow enforcement officers a little more legal leverage. Next, we need to look at developing countywide rules governing pets in general. Right now Brunswick County is riddled with legal loopholes that make it difficult to know what is and isn’t allowed or even where certain types of animal services or facilities can be operated. Finally, it’s time for Raleigh to pass statewide basic inspection and licensing for commercial breeders. Bordering Tennessee passed their Commercial Breeder Act in 2010 and, while far from what I’d call perfect, could serve as a starting point for our more progressive state.
Like many of you, I shudder at the thought of implementing any tax or fee during these tough economic times. I’m a dyed-in-the-wool fiscal conservative; these words come hard to me. But I also must speak what I believe is true and right. I don’t hold any hope that a “dog license” will solve all our animal ailments. But it’s a start. After 20 years, I guess I’m getting a little tired of hearing “the talk” while hundreds of animals lay gasping in piles of their own urine and feces and tens of thousands are euthanized for the crime of being born. I’ve patched up and put down too many strays and unwanted litters. I’ve seen some of the worst of human behavior carried out on defenseless animals with law enforcement left helpless due to lack of clear laws. For many of you this is a headline that shocks but is soon forgotten. For those of us in the animal world, the battle never ceases. Day-after-day, week-after-week we see neglected and abused animals that don’t make the news but suffer nonetheless. It’s time to change.
Take that first step with me. Contact your local government representatives and tell them you’ve had it with Brunswick County and North Carolina becoming the new puppy mill refuge. Your voice can save generations of animals from a life of suffering.