Dog kennels across the state are now facing stricter regulations than ever before.
The move is to improve the conditions of many so-called puppy mills. A puppy mill is a large-scale breeding operation that produces large numbers of puppies for profit. The new rules went into effect over the weekend and apply to those puppy mills, animal shelters and boarding kennels too.
There are only eight commercial kennels or puppy mills in northeastern and central Pennsylvania, according to state officials, however the new laws have forced one to close and the others to improve conditions.
Inside the Lycoming County SPCA on Reach Road in Williamsport dozens of dogs have clean, spacious living areas. The animal shelter is up to snuff with new state dog laws, according to executive director Vicki Stryker, who said many of the state's puppy mills were not.
"They lived in a kennel, they never got out of it. They lived in wire cages, slept, bred, welped there. They did everything in one kennel," added Stryker.
The new laws have caused some puppy mills to close, rather than spend money to abide by tougher restrictions on temperature and exercise requirements, said Stryker.
That is what happened last April at an Amish farm in Lycoming County. The breeder turned his dogs over to the SPCA for adoption.
"The fact they'll be treated more humanely is positive," said Stryker.
Much like the Lycoming County SPCA, the Canine Country Club near Muncy is already compliant with many of the rules and regulations the new dog laws have enforced. There were, however, some things they had to bring up to speed so they could stay open and serve those pups.
"We had to have smoke detectors. Carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers in place," said Sharon Guthrie, an employee of Canine Country Club.
Guthrie applauds the new laws saying they should go a long way to improve the dogs' well being.
"If the person can afford to stay and get in compliance then the puppies and dogs will have better living conditions, if they can't oh well, so be it," said Guthrie.
Kennels not only have to control the temperature and provide exercise for their dogs, they must now have a veterinarian check the animals on a regular basis. Local dog wardens still need training in order to enforce the new regulations, according to state agricultural officials.
The move is to improve the conditions of many so-called puppy mills. A puppy mill is a large-scale breeding operation that produces large numbers of puppies for profit. The new rules went into effect over the weekend and apply to those puppy mills, animal shelters and boarding kennels too.
There are only eight commercial kennels or puppy mills in northeastern and central Pennsylvania, according to state officials, however the new laws have forced one to close and the others to improve conditions.
Inside the Lycoming County SPCA on Reach Road in Williamsport dozens of dogs have clean, spacious living areas. The animal shelter is up to snuff with new state dog laws, according to executive director Vicki Stryker, who said many of the state's puppy mills were not.
"They lived in a kennel, they never got out of it. They lived in wire cages, slept, bred, welped there. They did everything in one kennel," added Stryker.
The new laws have caused some puppy mills to close, rather than spend money to abide by tougher restrictions on temperature and exercise requirements, said Stryker.
That is what happened last April at an Amish farm in Lycoming County. The breeder turned his dogs over to the SPCA for adoption.
"The fact they'll be treated more humanely is positive," said Stryker.
Much like the Lycoming County SPCA, the Canine Country Club near Muncy is already compliant with many of the rules and regulations the new dog laws have enforced. There were, however, some things they had to bring up to speed so they could stay open and serve those pups.
"We had to have smoke detectors. Carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers in place," said Sharon Guthrie, an employee of Canine Country Club.
Guthrie applauds the new laws saying they should go a long way to improve the dogs' well being.
"If the person can afford to stay and get in compliance then the puppies and dogs will have better living conditions, if they can't oh well, so be it," said Guthrie.
Kennels not only have to control the temperature and provide exercise for their dogs, they must now have a veterinarian check the animals on a regular basis. Local dog wardens still need training in order to enforce the new regulations, according to state agricultural officials.
