Should dogs and cats be sold in pet stores?
Detail:
Last night, West Hollywood City Council in the US banned the sale of dogs and cats in pet stores. In a statement, officials said the law aimed to curtail puppy mills and ease the conditions endured by animals in America’s puppy mill industry, which relied heavily on sales through pet stores.
Needless to say, there has been an outcry, with retailers and pet owners quick to challenge the contention that puppies in pet stores come from puppy mills.
Could the same situation occur here? Could some over-zealous local council decide that the sale of puppies and kittens should be banned in stores because this is the cause of illegal and inhumane puppy (and kitten) farms? It’s not inconceivable again for this hypothetical council to then ban the sale of all pets so as to stamp out all illegal breeders.
It’s one thing for a pet store owner to decide of his/her own volition not to sell animals, but another entirely when a ban is made based on mistruths and misconceptions.
A councilman said: “The ordinance not only contributes to the fight against animal cruelty, [but] it also recognizes the enormous cost of pet overpopulation in our society, both fiscal and humanitarian impacts. I urge those seeking pet companionship to consider adoption from municipal shelters and other non-profit rescue agencies.”
Sound familiar?
Needless to say, there has been an outcry, with retailers and pet owners quick to challenge the contention that puppies in pet stores come from puppy mills.
Could the same situation occur here? Could some over-zealous local council decide that the sale of puppies and kittens should be banned in stores because this is the cause of illegal and inhumane puppy (and kitten) farms? It’s not inconceivable again for this hypothetical council to then ban the sale of all pets so as to stamp out all illegal breeders.
It’s one thing for a pet store owner to decide of his/her own volition not to sell animals, but another entirely when a ban is made based on mistruths and misconceptions.
A councilman said: “The ordinance not only contributes to the fight against animal cruelty, [but] it also recognizes the enormous cost of pet overpopulation in our society, both fiscal and humanitarian impacts. I urge those seeking pet companionship to consider adoption from municipal shelters and other non-profit rescue agencies.”
Sound familiar?
By:
sandra
Date/time :
17/02/2010
Replies to this topic...
By:
newshound
Date/time :
17/03/2010 14:35:25
Detail:
so they ban the sale of livestock in retail outlets. then what? Are rabbits and guinea pigs to be sold on street corners , or at car boot sales? Does the man in the pub start selling iguanas?
no, of course not. The answer is to sell livestock from properly regulated pet shops , who have all the nececarry expertise and stock the right equipment for the pets welfare.
no, of course not. The answer is to sell livestock from properly regulated pet shops , who have all the nececarry expertise and stock the right equipment for the pets welfare.
By:
danielwalker
Date/time :
22/02/2010 15:04:03
Detail:
I agree with sissal, the selling of animals in any store is inhumane, animals are not products we can breed in a supply to demand cycle and dispose of at the dumping sites, let alone recycle.
Unfortunately the demand does exist and people will always supply, what would be more ideal is a trusted sanctuary/breeder having greater exposure perhaps with a dynamic online presence to supply people more fittingly instead of displaying them in tanks and cages where 100 new faces roll in every day, or if more people were more keen to re-home an abandoned pet than buy a new one, unfortunately it won't change while shops can still sell them and to this front I agree they should be banned outright.
Unfortunately the demand does exist and people will always supply, what would be more ideal is a trusted sanctuary/breeder having greater exposure perhaps with a dynamic online presence to supply people more fittingly instead of displaying them in tanks and cages where 100 new faces roll in every day, or if more people were more keen to re-home an abandoned pet than buy a new one, unfortunately it won't change while shops can still sell them and to this front I agree they should be banned outright.
By:
scissal
Date/time :
18/02/2010 19:18:43
Detail:
In my opinion, selling animals in pet stores is totally wrong and outdated. Animals are not disposable commodities and making them a 'fantastic draw to children and potential customers' is not thinking of the welfare of that animal, but solely the profit of the store. Once the child is bored of their new 'toy', the dog or cat is likely to end up in the ever increasing queue of animals waiting for homes at Rescue Centres throughout the country.
By:
Petranger
Date/time :
18/02/2010 16:34:57
Detail:
I do not think that cats and dogs should be sold in pet shops. It is difficult enough now to trace good breeders and this would make it even more difficult, as the shop owners could take puppies and kittens from any where, especially if price is a factor. Also, most shops are not manned 24hours a day and it may encourage poor practise.
By:
pjfoden
Date/time :
18/02/2010 09:30:31
Detail:
I have visited several pet stores in the Orlando area and was shocked by the condition of some of the animals on sale. Soiled cages and trembling animals were common place. It was totally contrary to the levels of animal care that we would expect in this country.
I am not against the sale of animals through pet shopsat all, but it must be done properly and humanely. When done right it is a fantastic draw for children and potential customers. I used to take my own children to our local pet shop as a cheap day-out. But there must be standards for animal care and they should be policed.
I am not against the sale of animals through pet shopsat all, but it must be done properly and humanely. When done right it is a fantastic draw for children and potential customers. I used to take my own children to our local pet shop as a cheap day-out. But there must be standards for animal care and they should be policed.
