On a recent shopping trip, I decided to buy treats for my dachshund at a pet shop in the mall. I was looking at the treats available—until I noticed the pet shop sold puppies.

When I decided to buy a dog, I did not buy a puppy. I went straight to the animal shelter. About a decade ago, when I was a state delegate for the Utah Republican Party, I submitted a proposal for our party’s state convention that Republicans not buy puppies.

I will never shop at a pet store that sells puppies until they certify the puppies were not bred from puppy mills. When we all take a stand, we can end the shameful business of puppy mills.

Daniel Barker
Lakeland, Fla.