West Hollywood To Ban Retail Sale Of Cats And Dogs With New Law

by amyellensoden | February 16, 2010 at 05:26 pm

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The West Hollywood City Council has been contemplating a ban on the retail sale of cats and dogs. This would prohibit the sale of these animals within pet stores in the name of preserving animal welfare rights. West Hollywood was the first city to outlaw cat declawing, and now they might become the first to outlaw the retail sale of cats and dogs.

The sale of humanely bred, reared, or sheltered animals will continue to be allowed, but retail sales of these animals in pet stores would come to an end. This movement is part of a large push against animal cruelty, and an attempt to cut down on the overpopulation of pets. It is also aimed at cracking down on the prominent issue of puppy mills.

The law being considered now -- called the Ordinance Prohibiting the Sale of Dogs and Cats in Companion Animal Stores -- would not be the nation's first. Last year, South Lake Tahoe adopted an ordinance banning the retail sale of dogs and cats, which, like the West Hollywood law, was aimed at curtailing puppy mills.

The law to ban retail sale of cats and dogs has received unanimous initIal approval. Prospective pet owners are encouraged to adopt cats and dogs who are in need at the SPCA, or to adopt from animal rescue shelters. The new law is called the Ordinance Prohibiting the Sale of Dogs and Cats in Companion Animal Stores. If the law is officially passed, it will go into effect on March 19.