SIOUX CITY -- Siouxland Humane Society executive director Jerry Dominack and others in Siouxland are pushing for stronger legislation and more oversight of commercial dog breeding facilities, or puppy mills, so that animals can live in better conditions. And they want their legislators to listen to their concerns.

But so far, of the eight area legislators invited to attend a listening post on the topic, Dominicak said only State Sen. Steve Warnstadt, D-Sioux City, has committed. Still, Siouxland residents are invited to the Monday meeting to learn about recent efforts by animal activists to crackdown on irresponsible pet breeding.

Mary LaHay, director of the Iowa Voters for Companion Animals in Des Moines, said Iowa ranks third in the nation for USDA licensed dog breeding facilities with 450 in the state. She is fighting for the passage of legislation that would give authority to state agriculture inspectors to go into federally licensed facilities where animal abuse is suspected.

LaHay will speak Monday at 7 p.m. at the Elks Club, 1001 Tri-View Avenue, Sioux City, about the findings of a special legislative committee that studied the treatment of animals in Iowa breeding facilities. South Dakota Boxer Rescue, which seeks to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home all Boxers in need, will bring Boxers that were rescued from puppy mills to the meeting and share their stories.

Dominicak, who organized the meeting, said there is a need for stronger legislation and more oversight at these kennels.

"I don't think that most people realize that pretty much any time that they're buying pets from pet stores that those are puppy mill puppies," he said. "You hear so often that people get these pets and they're not socialized they don't play with kids or they don't have much to do with the family, or you hear about health issues."

Animal welfare groups have complained that inspectors with the U.S. Department of Agriculture have done an inadequate job of ensuring that federally licensed dog breeders are providing proper care to the animals.

During the 2009 legislative session a bill was introduced that would allow state inspectors to go into USDA licensed facilities upon receipt of a complaint. Lawmakers took no action on the bill despite hearing stories of malnourished puppies and dogs that were crippled from being continuously caged in Iowa breeding facilities.

LaHay said a modified version of the bill will be reintroduced when the legislature reconvenes in January. Residents should attend the meeting, LaHay said, to learn about the issue and about what needs to change.

"Mostly they need to be there and share what they've experienced with their legislators because the legislators are just hearing it from a handful of us," she said. "They need to hear it from their constituents."