West Hollywood to Ban Sale of Cats and Dogs in Animal Companion Stores - New Updates

Adopting through shelters is the best option anyway. That's how I got my dog and she's a sweetheart. Seriously, look at that wittle puppy face.

However, it's extremely important to get the dogs that are already in puppy mills out and into good homes.

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Please don't buy from "pet" stores. Please adopt from shelters. You'll never regret it, and your new animal companion(s) will thank you for it.

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-west-hollywood-pet-sales,0,31531.story

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WeHo to Ban Sale of Dogs and Cat from Pet Stores

KTLA News

2:13 PM PST, February 15, 2010

WEST HOLLYWOOD -- It could soon be illegal to sell a dog or cat in a pet store in West Hollywood.

The West Hollywood City Council unanimously approved the ordinance earlier this month and is set to make the ban official Tuesday night. If passed, the law would go into effect on March 19th.

Exemptions are provided for humanely bred, reared or sheltered animal, according to the city, and existing pet stores will be given time "to adjust" to the new law.

Councilman Jeffrey Prang says the goal of the new law is to eliminate the demand for commercially bred dogs and cats and reduce inhumane conditions in the breeding industry, which relies on retail pet stores for profit.

"This ordinance represents an important step toward ridding our nation of the cruelty of puppy mills and other commercial assembly-line animal breeders," Prang said. "The ordinance not only contributes to the fight against animal cruelty 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 nonprofit rescue agencies."

The city of West Hollywood made headlines in 2003 when it banned cat declawing.

This newest ordinance is backed by the Companion Animal Protection Society, the Animal Legal Defense Fund and the Humane Society of the United States.

http://www.wehodaily.com/Pets-Animals/Cat-Dog-Sale-Ban-Seeks-to-Eliminate-Demand...

Cat & Dog Sale Ban Seeks to 'Eliminate Demand' of Puppy Mill Dogs
Discuss | | Bury | Tagged: pets lifestyle weho declawing weho socal
Photo by Anthony Citrano via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr The move to ban the sale of cats and dogs in West Hollywood is a first, but that's nothing unusual. The recent spate of cat declawing bans in various cities around California--Los Angeles included--was something that began there and it seems to have invigorated some new energy. "West Hollywood can take the lead on this issue and help set the standard for Southern California...

http://www.dogguide.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/3323954349_a62ca9aac1.jp...

http://www.vegan.com/blog/2010/02/02/west-hollywood-poised-to-ban-dog-cat-sales-...

West Hollywood Poised to Ban Dog & Cat Sales in Pet Stores

February 2, 2010

Exciting news: the city council of West Hollywood voted last night to ban the sale of dogs and cats in pet stores. Another vote in two weeks, which sounds like a formality, will make the ban official. Once the ban is passed, only stray and abandoned animals can be sold in West Hollywood pet stores.

This marks important precedent in the battle against puppy mills. Kudos to Carole Davis, the Companion Animal Protection Society, the HSUS stop puppy mills campaign staff, and the Animal Legal Defense Fund for lobbying behind this precedent-setting law.

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http://laist.com/2010/02/01/weho_cat_dog_sale_ban_seeks_to_elim.php

WeHo Cat & Dog Sale Ban Seeks to 'Eliminate the Demand' of Puppy Mill Dogs

The move to ban the sale of cats and dogs in West Hollywood is a first, but that's nothing unusual. The recent spate of cat declawing bans in various cities around California--Los Angeles included--was something that began there and it seems to have invigorated some new energy. "West Hollywood can take the lead on this issue and help set the standard for Southern California city governments," reads the background analysis to the ban's proposal.

The proposed ordinance goes before the West Hollywood City Council on Tuesday evening. "This ordinance prohibits the sale of ALL dogs and cats at companion animal stores; providing exemptions for humanely bred, reared or sheltered animals," continues the analysis. "For existing Pet Stores it provides a grandfathering or amortization period for non-conformance to allow them to recover their investment made in that portion of their business that involves the sale of dogs andlor cats."

At issue are "puppy mills" or "kitten factories," which the city analysis says are problematic: "Documented problems of puppy mills include over breeding, inbreeding, veterinary care that doesn't meet the same standards as other breeders, relatively poor quality of food and shelter, lack of human socialization, and overcrowded cages. Dogs bred in puppy mills are more likely to have behavior and/or health problems. While kitten factories are not as common as puppy mills, similar problems are reported regarding kitten factories. The only way to protect the welfare and safety of companion animals and to free them from the misery of horrid mass bred producers is to eliminate the demand."

If passed--Tuesday will be the first of two readings required--existing pet stores will have until September 17th to comply. Pet stores that breed animals on the premises will be allowed to continue selling the pets. Also exempt are animal shelters and rescues, and if they operate in connection with a pet store.

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/Pet-Store-Ban-83273652.html

Council Votes on Pet Shop Ban

By LOREL KANE
Updated 2:31 PM PST, Tue, Feb 2, 2010

The West Hollywood City Council Monday night voted on the consent calendar to pass landmark legislation that would ban the sale of dogs and cats in pet shops.

Only pet stores that sell rescued or abandon animals would be allowed to stay in business.

City Council member Jeffrey Prang made the first announcement yesterday, a brief mention in the prospective City Council agenda for Feb. 1; Carole Davis of Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS) confirmed for WeHo News late on Thursday that the item would be on the agenda.

Carole Davis of Companion Animal Protections Society (CAPS) assisted the Animal Legal Defense Fund and the City of West Hollywood in drafting the ordinance, as well as providing evidence,” sufficient to cause City Council to act.

Proponents of the ban say it could be the beginning of the end of puppy mills. The ordinance stems from an investigation of a West Hollywood pet store, Elite Animals, near Hancock and Santa Monica Boulevard, which uncovered evidence they allegedly sold puppy mill dogs.

Additionally, the retailer was also allegedly breaking federal law by importing animals for resale.

Elite Animals has since stopped its business practices, said Ms. Davis, but she and other concerned citizens wanted to make a statement about animal rights using West Hollywood, the city that pioneered a ban on cat-declawing.

Ms. Davis said, "West Hollywood's City Council has shown great leadership, wise judgment and compassion,” in taking that action and, “by considering an ordinance banning the sale of cats and dogs in our city's pet stores [may]… save countless shelter animals' lives locally and will send a strong message to abusive commercial breeders all over the nation."
The West Hollywood ordinace faces a second vote in two weeks before it becomes law. Then, on to cities such as Los Angeles where dogs and cats actually are still sold in pet shops--at least for now.

http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8

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West Hollywood Takes Step Toward Banning Pet Sales

Animal Rights movement finds sympathetic city council incampaign encouraging people to adopt dogs and cats from shelters or rescues, rather than creating demand for animals from "puppy mills."

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