San Francisco Considers Banning Sale of Pets
San Francisco, California (July 7th, 2010)
An influential commission in San Francisco is likely to recommend that the city bans the sale of pets from pet stores.
The San Francisco Commission of Animal Control and Welfare will vote at it's next meeting on whether to recommend that the city enacts an ordinance that would prohibit the sale of pets by pet stores. While the proposal originally targeted only dogs and cats, other species are likely to be included too, such as hamsters, rats, mice, guinea pigs, chinchillas, other small animals, reptiles, and birds, among others.
The Commission stated that the proposed ordinance "is intended to stop the sale of dogs and cats from puppy mills, as well as decrease euthanasia rates of other small animals in city shelters". After significant discussion of the proposal at its last meeting, the Commission declined to act on the proposal but indicated it would be placed on the agenda again for its July 8th, 2010 meeting. While the Commission is only an advisory body, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors value their proposals.
The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) has strongly opposed the proposal, saying that "the potential impact of this proposal goes far beyond the borders of San Francisco as extremists will seek to use such a precedent as a basis to adopt similar restrictions in other jurisdictions". They added that they support the right to keep pets, and the right of pet owners "to have options as to where they obtain their companion animals based on the pet owner's individual circumstances, needs and preferences". The details of the proposal is likely to be defined at their July 8th meting, and PIJAC recommends that pet owners wishing to oppose the proposal attend the meeting to voice their objections.
This news story is independently sourced and PetPeoplesPlace.com does not specifically endorse products or services offered by any company referenced in this article, or benefit from any association with any companies referenced.
The pets that wind up at shelters are not those bought in Pet Stores though I agree with banning pets from pet stores. The reason being is that the cats and dogs at pet stores were from puppy mills and overbred cats. The animals on the streets are those that were given to people, they bought them from shelters or were just abandoned when their owners dropped them on the streets. Do not blame the pets for this. You cannot ban people from owning pets, just give them the best training possible by making take classes from the Humane Association and SPCA so these things will not happen.
I say ban the selling of cats and dogs at pet stores for only 2-4 years. Then you can take that information and the results gained from that to see if the ban should stay in effect or be on a cycle schedule. Ban selling pets at stores for a few years, then allow it again, and repeat.
I think pet stores should not sell animals. That way we could also ban puppy mills. There are alot of animals who need adopted. My husband and I do rescue and have seen alot of bad things people do to their pets. In adoption the animals are spayed and neutered which means no unwanted babies. In pet stores it's not. They should just sell supplies. In some shelters you have to go thru a long list of questions and they decided whether you can have that pet or not, too. In stores it's just money. I say ban all selling of pets in pet stores. I have also seen bad things in pet stores too. BJ
I understand people liking to have choices especially regarding particular breeds, for example, a dog that does not shed. But the truth is many pure bred dogs can be found through rescues specializing in that breed. Frankly, until dogs and cats become much rarer commodities something has to be done to eliminate the killing in our local shelters. There are many wonderful animals in shelters. I own four purebreds and three mixes and love them all.
As far as other pets, many of these are taken from the wild and that is a problem in itself. I don't trust half of these stores as to the source of their animals although most will claim they do not get their animals from puppy mills or illegal sources, but really, who is checking? Sorry, not buying it.
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Yes, most dogs/cats that are in shelters do not come from pet stores, but if they vote to ban the sell of animals in pet stores, then that would help stop puppy mills and other people trying to make a few bucks. I think it may encourage people to adopt from shelters, but then it will encourage some to buy a pet online. I support the ban. Helping animals in any way is great.