Cities Beginning to Ban the Sale of Companion Animals in Pet Stores

At some point in your life, you may have seen a cute puppy or cuddly kitten in the window at a local mall or retail pet store. However, due to growing awareness of inhumane conditions and animal activism supporters, there is a growing number of cities that are banning the sale of companion animals in pet stores.

In the past year, South Lake Tahoe, California banned the retail sale of cats and dogs. West Hollywood, California also passed a ban on the retail sale of animals. In the past few months, Richmond, B.C., has considered a ban on the retail sale of dogs to cut down on the demand for dogs from puppy mills and impulse buying of pets. There are other cities that are beginning to follow the animal advocacy example, but it is important to understand why.

The Humane Society of the United States has linked pet supply chains to puppy mills, where dogs are bred in harsh, unsanitary conditions with little regard for health. Several major pet store chains, such as PetSmart, are not selling companion animals in their shops. Instead, businesses are referring pet lovers to local shelters and Humane Society organizations for pet adoption instead. Some animal activists see retail pet sales as oversimplifying the idea of owning a new pet. Some have wondered if it is a good idea to allow a person to purchase a pet from a shop the same way that you’d purchase a new pair of jeans.

Another issue to consider is that some pet store buyers are concerned with supporting the need for new animals and keeping their costs down, that they sometimes raise the animals on cheap food or may not be as vigilant with the animals’ health because there are often more animals to replace the ones in the store if they die. There have been occurrences where animals have been fed cheap food. Young pets are often weaned early because they are cuter and will sell faster. This can be stressful and risky for young animals and can lead to higher death rates as well.

Some retail pet store owners have argued that by banning the sale of companion animals in stores there will be an increase in purchases of companion animals via the internet or newspaper. There are retail pet store owners who feel they provide the education and professional support that a new pet owner needs. Even though these responsible pet store owners are out there, unfortunately the high numbers or pets that are euthanized every year often are companion animals that were purchased in retail stores by owners who may not have been as prepared as they thought they were to have a pet become part of their lives long term.

While cities may pass legislation that bans the sale of companion animals in retail stores, it is still up to the people in any area to make smart choices when it comes to getting a pet. We encourage people to take the time to visit their local shelter or Humane Society to find a pet through adoption services. These pets are ones who are looking for a home and if you are serious about a pet, think of how your simple decision to adopt one pet at a shelter might help reduce the demand for pets in pet stores. It may not be the perfect solution, but it is a start.

For more information on pet adoption, please call us at the Humane Society of Utah. Be an animal advocate and think twice before purchasing a companion animal from a retail shop.