Los Angeles Bans Puppy Mill Pets in Stores

courtesy spcaLA

Los Angeles city council voted on Wednesday in favor of an ordinance to ban pet stores from selling dogs, cats and rabbits obtained from commercial breeders and puppy mills. Instead, pet stores will be required to sell animals from shelters, humane societies located in the City of Los Angeles and registered, legitimate rescue groups. The hope is to address pet overpopulation and high euthanasia rates by forcing people to provide homes for already homeless pets rather than continuing to "make more" homeless pets.

People will still be able to buy directly from breeders but stores that sell those animals can face misdemeanor charges.

Certainly this is an important step in informing the nation of the sad fate of unwanted animals and modifying attitudes that encourage waste and support the disposability of our assets, both flora and fauna, but it is not a simple step to execute.

spcaLA, in its 135 years of experience and as the national leader in the shelter pet mall store experience, has already dealt with some of the issues that will absolutely need addressing in the implementation of this new ordinance. For example the creation of shelter contracts with stores that speaks to fees, length of stay, need for staff, transfers, and enforcement of  humane protections the absence of which can create more pain and suffering for our pets.

It is important that we ensure that the passage of this ordinance not end up a political chimera but a thoughtful, enforceable, tangible step towards its goal.