Good news! The City of Ottawa (in Ontario, Canada) (a.k.a. my city!) is considering banning the sale of commercially-bred dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet stores. If these new laws come into place, the only dogs, cats, and rabbits who would be allowed to be sold in pet stores would be animals from non-commercial sources (animal shelters, rescues, humane societies, and maybe even from owners who surrender their pet directly to the pet store). I am very excited to hear this news-- it is long overdue!
This new law will likely help to reduce animal breeding operations (including puppy and kitten mills) and encourage adoption, as well as helping to curb the numbers of animals currently entering, living in, and being euthanized in animal shelters. Besides, animals are not property, and should not be treated commercial "products" to be bought and sold!
Currently, there are only three pet stores in Ottawa that sell dogs, cats, and/or rabbits from commercial breeders, but ending this practice in Ottawa once and for all will be a further "win" for the animals. Commercial breeders would still be able to sell animals in venues other than pet stores, but at least more homeless animals from shelters will be adopted than they otherwise would, and it will be harder for commercial breeders to profit from selling sentient creatures. I would like to see these new regulations extend to ALL animals-- not just dogs, cats, and rabbits-- but this is a step in the right direction, at least!
The City of Ottawa encourages residents to read the document explaining these proposed changes, and then to submit their opinions on the City's website.
Discussion Paper with more information:
http://documents.ottawa.ca/sites/documents.ottawa.ca/files/documents/discussion_paper_pet_shop_bylaw_review_en.pdf
Comment Sheet, which can be submitted online:
https://app06.ottawa.ca/cgi-bin/form.cgi?dir=pet_shop&form=form_en
If you live in or near Ottawa, please take a few minutes to submit your opinion!
For the animals,
Cat
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