California Town May Ban Retail Sales of Dogs, Cats
The Chula Vista, Calif., City Council will discuss tomorrow, Feb. 28, 2012, wide-ranging amendments to the city’s animal laws that include a complete ban on the retail sale of dogs and cats as well as the sale or possession of certain “wild animals,” according to the Washington, D.C.-based Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council.
“Pet stores provide healthy, responsibly raised pets to the public, and should serve as one of the options pet owners may turn to in choosing a companion animal,” according to PIJAC, which opposes the proposal’s ban on retail sales of dogs and cats.
PIJAC said such outright bans are harmful to pets and consumers as they drive legitimate pet stores out of business, thus creating an underground market that does not have to meet the same regulatory requirements as pet stores.
PIJAC said a blanket ban on some so-called “wild animals” would also drive an underground market.
The city council will also discuss new regulations on kennels, catteries and pet shops; an increase in dog licensing fees; and several other items.
If passed, the amended ordinance would take effect on the 13th day after its adoption.
The prohibition on the retail sale of dogs and cats defines a pet shop as “an establishment involved in selling or exchanging any birds, dogs, cats or other animals.”
The wild animal ban states “no person may possess or maintain” venomous reptiles; birds or rodents attaining an adult weight of more than 15 pounds; any crocodilian; all boa and python species attaining an adult weight of more than 15 pounds or an adult overall length of more than 3 1/2 feet; all monitor lizard species; and other animals as listed in the ordinance.
The proposal does not apply to birds, small rodents or small nonpoisonous reptiles commonly used as pets or for educational or experimental purposes.
The proposal’s list of requirements for operation of kennels, catteries and pet shops include regulations on location and soundproofing requirements, recordkeeping, and sanitary and minimum space requirements.
Also, all dogs over the age of four months must be licensed within 30 days after being brought into the city, or upon reaching the age of four months.
The Chula Vista, Calif., City Council will discuss tomorrow, Feb. 28, 2012, wide-ranging amendments to the city’s animal laws that include a complete ban on the retail sale of dogs and cats as well as the sale or possession of certain “wild animals,” according to the Washington, D.C.-based Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council.
“Pet stores provide healthy, responsibly raised pets to the public, and should serve as one of the options pet owners may turn to in choosing a companion animal,” according to PIJAC, which opposes the proposal’s ban on retail sales of dogs and cats.
PIJAC said such outright bans are harmful to pets and consumers as they drive legitimate pet stores out of business, thus creating an underground market that does not have to meet the same regulatory requirements as pet stores.
PIJAC said a blanket ban on some so-called “wild animals” would also drive an underground market.
The city council will also discuss new regulations on kennels, catteries and pet shops; an increase in dog licensing fees; and several other items.
If passed, the amended ordinance would take effect on the 13th day after its adoption.
The prohibition on the retail sale of dogs and cats defines a pet shop as “an establishment involved in selling or exchanging any birds, dogs, cats or other animals.”
The wild animal ban states “no person may possess or maintain” venomous reptiles; birds or rodents attaining an adult weight of more than 15 pounds; any crocodilian; all boa and python species attaining an adult weight of more than 15 pounds or an adult overall length of more than 3 1/2 feet; all monitor lizard species; and other animals as listed in the ordinance.
The proposal does not apply to birds, small rodents or small nonpoisonous reptiles commonly used as pets or for educational or experimental purposes.
The proposal’s list of requirements for operation of kennels, catteries and pet shops include regulations on location and soundproofing requirements, recordkeeping, and sanitary and minimum space requirements.
Also, all dogs over the age of four months must be licensed within 30 days after being brought into the city, or upon reaching the age of four months.
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