On Oct. 13, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a law stating that the state of California requires pet stores to sell only rescue animals. It states that all dogs, cats and rabbits sold in pet stores must come from animal shelters or non-profit organizations by 2019. If a pet store owner does not comply, they will be fined $500 per animal in violation of the new law.
“This is a big win for our four-legged friends, of course,” assembly member O’Donnell said. “But also for California taxpayers who spend more than $250 million annually to house and euthanize animals in our shelters. I am very grateful for the strong support we received from animal-lovers across the state and from Social Compassion in Legislation, the bill’s sponsor.”
The American Kennel Club and California Retailers association has criticized the bill for “[blocking] all of California’s pet lovers from having access to professional, licensed and ethical commercial breeders,” according to Sheila Goffe, vice president of government relations for the American Kennel Club.
Hopefully, this law can help the thousands of animals that roam around the streets without a home. Many are picked up by shelters but euthanized because of health reasons, their age or simply because no one wants them. All animals deserve to be loved and thanks to this bill, many will get the chance to have a new home.
Although this law prevents pet store owners from over-breeding, this doesn’t prevent current pet owners from breeding their dogs or cats. The ASPCA asks all pet owners to spay and neuter their animals to prevent the growing population of homeless animals. For more information on where to get your pets spayed and neutered for a reasonable cost, visit the ASPCA’s Spay and Neuter page.
