(ANIMAL NEWS/PETS) In 2012, Los Angeles City Council placed a temporary three-year ban on the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits from commercial breeders. Thanks to a 12-0 vote on Wednesday, Los Angeles made the ban permanent before it expired.
The initial three-year ban was intended to be a trial period in case the law became too economically detrimental for pet stores. However, pet stores have made the necessary adjustments since the ban went into effect, placing more focus on hosting animal adoption events and selling pet supplies.
While Los Angeles is now the largest city to have such a ban in place, it isn’t the first city to make the decision.
While individuals can still purchase animals from non-commercial, certified breeders, the legislation targets backyard breeders and puppy mills.
There are more than 5,000 puppy mills and kitten factories licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture throughout the country that provide local pet stores with 500,000 animals a year.
However, being licensed by the USDA or the American Kennel Club does not necessarily guarantee a humane facility either.
With thousands of animals entering Los Angeles shelters every year, the ban also intends to decrease shelters’ euthanasia rates as well as the number of strays on the streets.
We believe this decision will influence other cities to follow suit, so hopefully pet adoption will become “the new normal” all across the nation. Rally for your city to vote for a similar ban today!
— Alisa Manzelli, exclusive to Global Animal
