LA Considers Placing Shelter Animals in Pet Stores

A motion introduced Friday asks for a study of options designed to help shelter animals and regulate puppy mills

Dogs, cats and other shelter animals might be available for adoption in pet stores under a proposal by an LA council member.

Councilman Paul Koretz planned to introduce a motion Friday to conduct a study regarding a ban on the sale of commercially bred dogs, cats and rabbits in LA. Koretz also asked that the study look at creating a program through which animal services would work with licensed pet stores to make shelter animals available for in-store adoption.

"The main thing is that we reduce the animal overpopulation problem," Koretz said Friday. "We hope, at some point, to get to no-kill in our shelters. Eliminating puppy mill sales in our city would be a significant step in the right direction."

Last year, LA animal services impounded more than 56,000 dogs and cats. Judie Mancuso, president of Social Compassion in Legislation, said California shelters take in about 1 millions cats and dogs each year.

She said housing and euthanizing the animals costs taxpayers about $300 million per year.

Koretz called a news conference Friday as part of Puppy Mill Awareness Week. Yes, he brought puppies.

The study would be conducted by LA Animal Services, the Chief Legislative Analyst, the LA City Attorney and the Los Angeles Police Department.

"Curbing the market for these unfortunate animals can also play a role in addressing the problem," he said. "With thousands of dogs, cats and rabbits euthanized in the city’s animal shelters annually, there is growing sentiment in Los Angeles to find ways to break the link between the mills and pet shops."

 

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