Proposed Pet Sale Ban Sweeps Nation

Some grin at the cute puppies in the pet store window, while others grimace at their small wire cages. But now, pet stores in San Francisco must fight to continue selling these adorable critters after a proposed ban on pet sales. Philip Gerrie, secretary of the San Francisco Commission of Animal Control and Welfare, proposed the ban to the seven-member commission. The ban specifically targets "companion pets", which include animals like dogs, cats, hamsters, birds, and others that frequently end up in shelters. Gerrie first suggested the ban in an effort to outlaw puppy and kitten mills - often cited as a culprit for pet overpopulation. However, the proposed ban transcended the issue of pet overpopulation, and quickly gained publicity as The San Francisco Chronicle's front page story. After the proposed ban was widely publicized, animal rescuers and pet store owners attended the commission's meeting on Thursday evening in masses. Bird rescuer Mira Tweti decried impulsive purchases from pet stores - made with little consideration of the time and care needed to raise a pet. Tweti claimed that such pets are dumped into animal shelters when they become a hassle for owners, and are often euthanized after the animals fail to secure new homes. And pet store owners expressed concern about the future of their business, with the proposed ban outlawing all pets, except fish. How many people would visit pet stores with such a limited selection? With so many perspectives to consider, the commission decided to table the discussion and the voting until at least another month. However, other cities have begun to heed the calls by the Humane Society of the Unites States and other proponents of the ban. Cities like Albuquerque, N.M., South Lake Tahoe, Calif., and West Hollywood, Calif. have already passed the ban with other cities in Florida, Missouri, New York, New Mexico, and elsewhere following close behind. So now is your chance to speak - where do you stand on the proposed ban on pet sales? Image source: flickr user Xhanatos