The Irvine City Council is considering new regulations that would ban the sale of dogs and cats at retail shops as well as bar travelling animal entertainment acts like circuses, petting zoos, and rodeos.
The ordinance, if passed, would also require the spaying or neutering of pets 6 months or old, according to the Daily Pilot.
The council voted last week for formal plans for implementing the set of three animal welfare ordinances to be drawn up and presented in 120 days, the Pilot reported. City staff are expected to further review the legislation before it can be approved.
"The ordinance proposed would position Irvine with other progressive cities implementing ordinances to prevent instruments and exploitation of animals within their respective city boundary," Mayor Sukhee Kang told the Pilot.
One pet store in the area sells cats and dogs, Russo's Spectrum Pets in the Irvine Spectrum. The city is considering allowing the store to continue selling animals until its lease runs out, according to the Pilot.
The legislation may also impact the city's contract with Cirque du Soleil, which uses horses in their performances forcing lawmakers to develop a compromise.
