Los Angeles has made a bit of doggy history by becoming the largest city in the USA to ban the sale of specific species of animals that came from commercial breeders. That means, no pet store can sell dogs, cats or rabbits that aren’t from a rescue or shelter.
The ban is designed to stop pet shops from getting their animals from puppy mills. And also, to help find homes for all the animals who are currently homeless in the city.
According to the LA Times blog, Elizabeth Oreck, working for Best Friends Animal Society, led the legislative effort. Oreck said about the animals who will no longer be allowed to be sold in the city, “They’re inbred, they’re overbred, they’re irresponsibly bred.”
If you’re not familiar with puppy mills, imagine a place where dogs are bred over and over again to produce pure bred dogs that can be sold for sometimes thousands of dollars. To maximize profits, the puppies are often kept in tiny wire cages and neglected before they are shipped across the country to pet stores. In other words, these facilities place profits above the welfare of the animals. And the puppies are the lucky ones. The mothers who are impregnated over and over again suffer the most.
Obviously, not everyone is happy about the ban. Local pet store owners, many who deny getting their dogs from puppy mills, think it’s unfair.
We bet those who see dogs euthanized each and every day at the shelter think it’s pretty fair for those animals. Why breed more dogs when there are so many who need homes.
People will still be allowed to buy animals directly from breeders. However, if a pet store is caught selling dogs from a breeder, they will be fined a first-time penalty of $250 and may face misdemeanor charges. We hope they choose to sell rescue animals instead. There is certainly no shortage.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
About Ali Berman
Ali Berman is the author of Choosing a Good Life: Lessons from People Who Have Found Their Place in the World (Hazelden) and Misdirected (Seven Stories Press). She works as a humane educator for HEART teaching kids about issues affecting people, animals and the environment. Her published work can be found on her website at aliberman.com. In early 2012 Ali co-founded flipmeover, a production company with the mission to use media to raise awareness of social issues.View all posts by Ali Berman →
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