Lancaster County’s Non Profit organization, United Against Puppy Mills (UAPM) will present a petition with over 33,000 signatures to Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell&rqsuo;s office on October 5, 2006, at 12 noon in the Rotunda of the Capitol Building in Harrisburg relating to the reform of puppy mills. The petition requests the removal of the Bureau of Dog Law and its enforcement from the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture. Dogs and cats are companion animals, not livestock. As companion animals they are neither defined nor protected within the "mission statement" of the Department of Agriculture which is "to encourage, protect and promote agriculture and related industries throughout the commonwealth."

UAPM, through its mission and this 5 month petition drive has increased awareness statewide of Pennsylvania’s puppy mill situation. The group hopes to see follow up in the form of a new, separate commission, which could be similar to Pennsylvania’s Game Commission. A separate commission would afford better control of dog breeding through clearer laws and processes, which would provide "personnel accountability" and enforcement within each of the steps or processes.

The State’s Senators, House of Representatives and key media individuals have been informed of this event.

United Against Puppy Mills is a non profit organization whose mission is to promote awareness and provide training and support to people interested in effecting positive action for the elimination of puppy mills as they currently exist.

UPDATE 10/4/2006

Volunteers for United Against Puppy Mills held a press conference at the State Capitol on Thursday, October 4, Noon, to deliver a petition with 33,566 signatures signed by Pennsylvanians and delivered to Governor Rendell’s office after the public forum. They called for the State’s Bureau of Dog Law to be removed from the Department of Agriculture and be made a stand-alone commission.

Patriot News(October 6, 2006): "Governor Rendell supports creating a strike force of dog wardens that target Puppy Mills and increase enforcement of existing laws."

Intelligencer Journal (October 6, 2006): "The governor has heard loud and clear from every interested party in this debate, and he’s taking all those opinions seriously."

Philadelphia Inquirer (October 6, 2006): "Governor Rendell said he would assemble an animal welfare "SWAT" team to investigate the most abusive kennels. He made no commitment, however, regarding taking any specific action."