Landmark Legislation to Ban Sale of Dogs and Cats in Pet Stores
February 8th, 2010
The West Hollywood City Council passed landmark legislation banning the sale of cats and dogs in pet stores unless from rescues and shelters. This law will prevent the sale of cats and dogs in West Hollywood from cruel puppy and kitten mills. The ordinance was passed unanimously by the City Council. According to coverage by NBC Los Angeles, the ordinance stems from an investigation of a West Hollywood pet store, Elite Animals, by the Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS) which uncovered evidence that the shop allegedly misled consumers by selling puppy mill dogs and broke federal law by importing animals for resale. Social Compassion in Legislation reports that the West Hollywood City Council not only received emails from local and state supporters on its proposed legislation but also from groups and individuals across the country and even as far away as the United Kingdom. The legislation “could be the beginning of the end of puppy mills and it’s happening in West Hollywood, one of the most progressive cities on animal welfare issues,” Ed Buck, Director of Social Compassion in Legislation. In passing the legislation, West Hollywood continues its leadership in passing progressive animal welfare legislation. The city was the first in the U.S. to ban cat de-clawing. Many other California cities followed suit last year with their own de-claw bans. Speakers at the council meeting included Dr. Allan Drusys of Social Compassion in Legislation, Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, Dawn Armstrong, executive director of the Lake Tahoe Humane Society, Chris DeRose, founder and president of Last Chance for Animals, and Carole Raphael Davis of the Companion Animal Protection Society. A statement read by Norma Sandler for Bill Dyer of In Defense of Animals, who was unable to attend stated that “This unprecedented, historic action, in this Guardian city where the de-clawing of cats is also banned, will send a signal throughout our country for others to follow. West Hollywood will always be remembered as the city that had the foresight and compassion to first end the horrible commerce of puppy mills in our society.”
Well it is about time. It is so sad and very frustrating to now that it is still happening in other places. I volunteer with a rescue group and see many sad stories that should never happen. Some people should be ashamed of themselves yet they don’t care as they make money. shame on them. Thank you to all who have worked on this so far and I will keep praying that one day this is a process that will be not taken lightly anywhere.
I am in the process of getting the specific information and will let everyone know as soon as I get it together. This has been a huge topic all over the world.
how can we duplicate nationawide the West Hollywood landmark legislation banning the sale of cats and dogs in pet stores (unless from rescues and shelters)?? what wonderful news!!
I am the past chair of our cities Animal Welfare Advisory Committee. Currently I am headed a sub committee that is looking the puppy mills and back yard breeders in our area.
The ban to sell cats and dogs in stores unless rescued animals is some of the best news I have had in ages. This is something we are trying to bring forward to our City council but we are in the very early stages.
Do you have a copy of the legislation that I can read and refer to at our council. Any information that you could share would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your help and lets hope many other cities follow this wonderful lead.
This is wonderful that those politicians had the fortitude to take on this issue !! I congratulate all of them ! And Irvin you are wrong that this closes down all pet stores…there are several major chains who do not sell puppies and kittens..in fact they are more successful than those uncaring scumbags who buy from the mills to sell in their stores..and lie to the ignorant customers who don’t know any difference. This is HUGE and even up in Canada we are celebrating this….we also have many puppy mills with horrific conditions…am presently trying to get London, Ontario on ths bandwagon !!! Thanks West Hollywood, CA !!
This is great news!
Depending on what the state laws are, if any, in CA this action may be illegal on its face. In Pensylvania localities cannot impose stricter regulations than the state if there is a state law on the books and there is a new puppy mill law here at the state level. Effectively, the city has put every pet store out of business– who would pay extra at a pet store for a shelter animal? What will happen shortly is the first violation of this law will be appealed and the ordinance thrown out as an “unlawful taking”. What they should have done, instead of an emotional kneejerk, is require all pet stores to do their own vet checks, guarantee quality, pay for spaying, etc. as a condition of sale. No store ownere is going to buy substandard animals if he has to refund or pay vet bills and face consumer fraud charges.
Does CA license breeders and inspect their facilities?
Let’s keep spreading the word. Hopefully this is the beginning of something great.
I agree. I hope this is expanded around the country and impacts all kinds of animals.
Thanks for your feedback. This is a huge issue. I am glad to see that breeders agree with this. As I can see, it’s because there are breeders who really screen where their animals are going, and care about their animals. The concern seems to be when animals are bred for money and the owner doesn’t care what happens to the animals, as long as they make money. I look forward to more comments and feedback.
Good news! Let’s hope that they will extend this too all animals – rabbits, guinea pigs, etc.
I’m a reputable breeder and I’m glad to see this. The people who buy from me go through an extensive process before I sell them an animal. I know there are a lot of animals being raised in poor conditions and for the wrong reason. There are a lot of wonderful animals that are in shelters and rescues that need a good home. This would bring them to the attention they need and get them adopted. Thanks for informing us of this. Keep up the great work.
Bev, I agree. I get a lot of pressure from people because I breed dogs. The dogs I breed live a life most people would die for. I spend so much money on them from food to health care. I also screen and do background checks on the people who adopt from me. I don’t mass breed then sell them to anyone, or a pet store, just to make money. Those people give us and everyone a bad name. I care very much about animals, especially mine!!
about time now lets get this in all states and maybe the poor dogs in rescue will find homes
That is great news! I will spread the word!
Let’s make our voices heard and spread this all over the world.
For the love of animals and humans
I don’t know enough about this topic but it seems that people are all for it, so I am too. As long as it helps animals live a good, safe and healthy life, I’m all for it.
Yeah for the animals. How can we get this across the rest of the country?
What great strides we are making, one step at a time. You do great work for animals around the world. We appreciate your passion!
Thia is great to know. Thanks for posting this!
I’ll send your link to my database. I doubt people know this.
A great first step. Now we need to get this passed on a national basis.
That is wonderful news…wish it was this way ALL across the USA!
BRAVO!
ya hoo!!!
Great News!
Great news indeed. I would love to see this happening all over the world. Why anyone would purchase a puppy or kitten at a store (puppy mill) makes no sense. If you want a purebred,you can find them at shelters and rescue clubs.