The Humane Society of the United States presents Indiana state Rep. Chris Campbell, D-West Lafayette, with the Indiana 2021 Legislator of the Year Award for her efforts to help animals in Indiana and beyond by authoring HB 1142 to end the sale of dogs and cats in pet stores. Rep. Campbell also championed similar legislation again this year in filing HB 1160.
“Hoosiers should be proud that Rep. Chris Campbell is leading efforts to help protect animals and members of the public alike by authoring legislation to address these concerns at the state-level,” said Samantha Morton, Indiana state director for the Humane Society of the United States. “We are pleased to honor her with this award and thank her for her leadership in standing up to protect the dogs and cats languishing in puppy and kitten mills.”
"I am honored to receive this award from the Humane Society of the United States and to champion humane pet retail and ownership practices in Indiana," Rep. Campbell said. "A lack of comprehensive legislation has led to a puppy mill problem in Indiana and, unfortunately, has found itself holding multiple spots on the Humane Society's Horrible Hundred Report.”
Indiana ranks No. 2 in the country for commercial licensed pet breeders and many of those are considered puppy mills. Indiana is also home to approximately 20 pet stores across the state. Selling commercially raised puppies and kittens in pet stores raises serious animal welfare and consumer protection issues.
Morton notes that responsible breeders do not sell to pet stores and that prohibiting the sale of dogs and cats in pet stores helps reduce the puppy mill to pet store pipeline. A statewide humane pet store bill would not limit a consumer’s ability to purchase a pet from a responsible breeder or to adopt from a local shelter or rescue.