DES MOINES – A bill under consideration in the Iowa Senate would require better treatment of all animals housed in pet stores and breeding facilities.
If passed, Senate file 2254 provides that all animals consigned to pet shops are provided humane care and treatment by regulating the transportation, sale, purchase, housing, care, handling, and treatment of such animals by those businesses.
Some of the provisions in the bill include: Larger cage sizes, no wire flooring, some portion of solid flooring (enough to allow dogs to lie down on solid flooring), access to outdoor runs, and an annual vet exam. The bill also calls for the Iowa Department of Agriculture to routinely inspect the USDA-licensees in Iowa and to enforce these increased standards.
Sen. Matt McCoy of Des Moines is sponsoring the bill in the Senate. It passed the Commerce Committee on Tuesday, February 18th.
Totally agree. Kudos, and ABOUT TIME. More can be done I’m sure.