The Courier-Journal (Louisville)
Retail sales of dogs, cats banned
Metro Council passes ordinance by large margin
After more than an hour of debate, the Louisville Metro Council voted Thursday night to ban the retail sales of dogs and cats.
The ordinance sponsored by Councilman Stuart Benson and Councilman Andrew Owen passed 21-3, with one member voting present and one absent.
The debate included a last-ditch proposal from Republican Councilmen Anthony Piagentini and Kevin Kramer to amend the ordinance to tighten rules on the sale of dogs and cats, but it failed by a small margin.
Piagentini said the ordinance was too strict and he would have preferred to punish “bad actors” rather than create a blanket ban on retail dog and cat sales.
The ultimate decision was met with cheers and claps from activists celebrating in the crowd. However, Puppygram CEO Miles Handy previously said the passage of this ordinance would “put us out of business.”
But that’s the point, said supporters of the ordinance.
“We have documented that pet stores that sell puppies in retail fashion, by and large, are getting them from puppy mills,” said Todd Blevins, the Kentucky director for the Humane Society of the United States.
Nina Scott, the president of Louisville’s Golden Retriever Rescue and Adoption of Needy Dogs, spoke in support of the ordinance.
“I wasn’t quite sure where it was going to go, but I’m obviously very happy they voted in the right direction,” Scott said. “It’ll be good for Kentucky and hopefully we can keep moving forward on a state level.”
Here’s what to know about the legislation and how it will affect both businesses and residents.
Can I still buy dogs in Louisville? What about purebreds?
Yes.
The ordinance includes language that ensures adoptions from private breeders and rescues can continue.
“This Ordinance will not affect a consumer’s ability to obtain a dog or cat of his or her choice from an animal rescue, shelter, or breeder who sells directly to the public,” the legislation says.
That includes purebred dogs. The point of this ordinance is not to prevent anyone from adopting the breed of dog they desire, Blevins said. Instead, it is meant to encourage people to go to reputable breeders.
How many pet stores in Louisville sell dogs or cats?
There are two retail pet stores in Jefferson County that currently sell cats and dogs, Blevins said. Petland is in the process of establishing a story in Louisville, which would make it the third. It is unclear whether or not the business will still decide to open following the passage of the ordinance.
The other stores sell pet supplies, other kinds of animals or partner with rescue organizations.
Does the ordinance affect the retail sale of animals other than cats and dogs?
No. The ordinance includes provisions for retailers who sell animals, like requiring birds in pet stores to have “sufficient room to sit on a perch,” but does not ban those sales.
It will not affect the legality of selling exotic animals, Blevins said.
How long will retail sales of dogs and cats continue in Jefferson County?
The ordinance will take effect one year after passage, according to the legislation.
This means that the clock has started for retail stores that sell dogs or cats. The businesses will either have to change business models – like only selling pet supplies, rather than those animals – or move out of Jefferson County to not violate the law.
What standards will pet stores have to meet over the next year?
There are provisions in the ordinance that will immediately change how retail pet stores in Louisville operate, said Angela Webster, Benson’s legislative assistant.
All pet shops will now have to list the contact information for each animal’s breeder “in clear view on the kennel,” according to the ordinance.
What are the penalties for violating the ordinance?
Those who continue to sell dogs and cats in retail pet stores “shall be subject to a penalty of not less than $500 for a first offense, $1000 for a second offense and $2500 for any subsequent offenses.”
It also authorizes the Metro Animal Services director to “enforce the provisions of this Chapter through declaratory, injunctive and other civil actions filed in any court of competent jurisdiction.”
Can pet supply stores still partner with rescues?
Yes.
The legislation is “explicitly designed” to still allow stores to partner with local rescues to promote pet adoptions, Blevins said.
He cited Feeders Pet Supply, PetSmart and Petco as examples.
“Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the provision of space to an animal rescue group or an animal shelter, as defined, to publicly showcase dogs or cats available for adoption,” reads the ordinance. The one provision is that “the provider does not maintain an ownership interest in any of the animals offered for adoption or receive a fee for providing such space.”