<p>Dear Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack:</p><p>If you care about animals as much as I do, you will want to give your attention to an important issue concerning puppy mill standards.</p><p>Commercial breeders are the worst offenders when it comes to the welfare of puppies in their care. While animal shelters are required by law to provide solid flooring in animals' cages, the law isn't the same for puppy mills.</p><p>Wire cages are the standard in commercial breeding. Sadly, though, there is no limit to the damage wire cages can do to dogs' health. They experience joint and limb discomfort and irregular growth from standing on the wires. Their paw pads can be badly bruised or cut from the hard metal. Because wire cages aren't comfortable, dogs remain standing for longer periods of time, resulting in poor posture and stress on muscles.</p><p>I would like you to require all commercial breeders and puppy mill facilities to utilize only solid bottom cages for dogs. Tell them we see through their profit-minded operations, and hold them accountable for keeping their dogs healthy.</p><p>If you don't increase America's puppy mill standards, who will?</p>