San Francisco is the latest city in the United States to jump on the bandwagon of prohibiting pet stores from selling dogs and cats that are not rescued. San Francisco, along with the 200+ other cities and states with similar legislation, is fighting against mass-producing puppy and kitten mills that supply many major pet store chains with animals. As many already know, puppy and kitten mills are often wrought with abuse and neglect.
People can still purchase puppies and kittens from breeders directly, but the law requires that any pet store must sell dogs and cats (and puppies and kittens) that are obtained from animal shelters, Humane Societies and registered rescue organizations. This will eliminate the demand for animals from puppy and kitten mills and offer more space and opportunity for adoption for homeless pets in need.
Thankfully, there aren’t any pet stores in San Francisco that we know are selling non-rescued pets, but the new law will prohibit any new stores from opening in the first place. District 4 Supervisor Katy Tang, who sponsored the legislation, advised, “This ordinance will serve as a deterrent, preventing a business from moving into San Francisco and selling animals from irresponsible mass-producing breeders that churn out puppies and kittens as if they were on an assembly line.”
With so many other cities and states enacted similar legislation, we’re happy to see that the demand for puppy and kitten mills is steadily decreasing. These breeding facilities are abusive, housing many sick and injured animals without veterinary care, leaving them to die and locking them in crates except when used for breeding. These poor animals have no lives at all – and we certainly hope that everywhere else in the world will put an end to these awful businesses. We’re happy to see that San Francisco is taking a step in the right direction.
