Earlier this week the City of Richmond, BC, was voting on whether to ban the sale of dogs in pet stores. My mother wanted to go, just to make sure the room was filled with supporters, so I went with her. Some guy gave us little signs to wear (Adopt, Don't Shop), and the room was super packed. We listened to a couple hours worth of people defending either side. The people on the pro-ban side brought some very interesting and effective stats and proof that pet stores often get animals from puppy mills. The councilors voted unanimously for the ban, the first city in Canada (see the article excerpts below.)
I forgot to bring the boys for this historic moment, so my mum, brother and I staged a Dramatic Recreation in front of City Hall.
Richmond city council voted unanimously on Monday night to draft a bylaw amendment that would ban the sale of dogs in pet stores, in what the B.C. SPCA is calling a "landmark move against puppy mills."
While several U.S. cities already have such a ban in place, it is the first time a decision of the kind has been made in Canada.
"The City of Richmond showed such leadership being the first in Canada," said Lorie Chortyk, general manager of community relations for the B.C. SPCA. "We're really hoping that this is something other municipalities will see as the progressive way to go."
...
Bryson said U.S. taxpayers spend about $2 billion each year to house and euthanize unwanted animals.
American cities with full bans on live animal sales in pet stores include Hermosa Beach, South Lake Tahoe and West Hollywood in California; Fort Lauderdale, Coral Gables, Lauderdale Lakes, Flagler Beach, North Bay Village and Opa-Locka in Florida; and Austin, Texas.
Albuquerque, N.M., imposed a ban on the retail sale of all companion animals in 2006. Since then, animal adoptions have increased by 23 per cent and euthanasia at city shelters has decreased by 35 per cent, said Bryson. (Vancouver Sun)
1 comment:
Great! I hope to see a similar ban for many other sorts of pets too.
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