West Hollywood Bans Sale of Pets in Stores!

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| Print | By Jo Singer | February 4, 2010 11:29 AM

If I were a companion animal and had my druthers, I would definitely choose to live in West Hollywood, California, as it has to be one of the most compassionate pet loving cities in the United States.

As you may recall, West Hollywood was one of the first municipalities in the state to ban the cruel and inhumane practice of declawing cats several years ago. This city became the guiding-light pioneer which helped inspire the passage of further ordinances banning this practice in several other California cities.

So yesterday I was both thrilled and heartened to learn the breaking news, that West Hollywood has once again stepped up to the plate. The city now joins South Lake Tahoe, the first city to outlaw the sale of cats and dogs in pet shops in 2009, to become the second city in the United States to ban the sale of cats and dogs in pet shops!

Due to the diligent work of the Companion Animal Protection Society, the landmark West Hollywood proposed ordinance which was passed on February 1, 2010, if approved at the second reading, will become effective law on March 19. The legislation was initiated by Councilmember Jeffrey Prang, and was supported by CAPS, the Humane Society of the United States and the Animal Legal Defense Fund.

The Companion Animal Protection Society scheduled regular protests in front of the Elite Animal Pet Store, and also conducted an extensive investigation of the puppy mill from which the dogs were purchased by that store. West Coast Director of CAPS, Carole Davis in expounding on what they found during their investigation said, "Dogs were covered in feces, covered with wounds, and extremely stressed out . . . They try to chew their way out, the poor dogs."

In an interview with an NBC affiliate, Carol Davis said, "West Hollywood's City Council has shown great leadership, wise judgment and compassion, in taking that action and, by considering an ordinance banning the sale of cats and dogs in our city's pet stores. It will save countless shelter animals' lives locally and will send a strong message to abusive commercial breeders all over the nation."

While pet stores will be permitted to continue selling cats and dogs until September 17, 2010, from there on, they will be allowed to give space for the adoption of shelter and rescue animals. An exception was made to allow the sale of "animals that were bred and reared on the premises of the person or establishment," so that small breeders would be able to continue selling their stock, but puppies and kittens from mills will no longer be permitted to be sold by pet stores or off-premises breeders.

It is expected that the ordinance will be approved. Carol Davis added that there are also 17 other cities that are presently interested in considering passing similar ordinances and have contacted her already.

Become more familiar with the work that CAP has been doing to end the sale of puppy mill pets in pet stores by watching the video uploaded to YouTube by DoggyTV. It is truly amazing what this organization has been doing to protect these helpless animals and well worth watching.

I think this is fantastic news! What are your thoughts? Leave a comment and let us know.

RELATED TOPICS: Blogs (262) , Cat (2) , Dog (3) , Kitten (2) , Puppy (4) , Puppy Mills (7) , Shelters (8)

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Cindy February 4, 2010 11:07 AM

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I wonder if this will indeed close down the puppy mill situations. I would have rather seen some kind of policy that the store had to purchase animals from "accredited" breeders - and those breeders be put under the microscope... This will allow the breeders to continue - just find other ways to sell their wares - and the animals in their care will still not be given any protection. All the laws in the world are not going to change things unless they are enforced - and you really need to get to the source... if these puppies are AKC registered - that would be one method. If the state requires licensing for the harbored animal - that would be another. I know the state of Maine recently went through the Veterinarian's offices to locate animals being protected for rabies as a means to get their local dogs licensed!

R February 4, 2010 11:30 AM

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Yay!!! No pets for sale!!!

R February 4, 2010 11:31 AM

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Yay!!! No pets for sale!!!

jmuhj February 4, 2010 11:40 AM

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West Hollywood has long been a progressive beacon in a dark wilderness. May many other municipalities follow suit and may there soon be a time when the human race has evolved to the point where we all value cats and kittens and protect each and every one of them!

Vicki February 4, 2010 12:24 PM

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Many pet stores hava laready been shut down here as word has spread about the dealings of puppy mills. I do hope this practice will soon be banned in all states as it has been so out of hand for many years. It is not the poor animals, but the sorry people who run them that has been such a problem.

Linda H February 4, 2010 6:04 PM

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There are way too many animals out there that need to be rescued without bringing more into the world. Because I'm a bird lover, bird breeding is a thorn in my side. Birds are one of the most misunderstood creatures and too many people get them without being educated. When the fantasy wears off, the poor bird (who is by nature a flock creature) is many times left in a dark room, no family interaction, and no toys. Owners then wonder why they become screamers or mutilators. We conform them to our world depriving them of the things they do naturally which is forage, fly free and wild breed. If I could take my birds (who are rescues) to their native country and set them free I would do it. Not because I don't love them...because I do.

carole February 5, 2010 8:16 AM

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Congratulations West Hollywood I pray that other cities & counties will follow your lead and stop the cruel business of mass breeding operations. Our shelters are killing 5 million companion animals a year in my opinion there should be no buying or breeding until our shelter cages are empty. There are wonderful pets to be rescued and the new humane model works just check out Woof Worx or Aquarium Pet Center in Santa Monica, dogs & cats from high kill shelters are being saved. These puppy mill fronts need to be a thing of the past!

sara February 5, 2010 8:46 AM

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Congratulations on your hard work! Yet again another victory and the likelihood exists that many more eyes have been opened as a result of your works.

When the stores start giving space for shelter and/or rescue animals to be adopted from, who will be overseeing the process? Will the stores merely "sell" the dog/cat to whoever comes along or will an adoption/rescue group be running the adoption process?