In an effort to crackdown on inhumane breeding practices, the San Marcos City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Tuesday night that permanently bans pet shops from selling puppies, kittens and rabbits.
The ordinance was passed in a 4-0 vote.
At the city council meeting, the San Diego Humane Society’s Chief of Humane Law Enforcement, Steve MacKinnon, spoke on behalf of animals in support of the ban that will prohibit the retail sales of pets at stores that animal activists often refer to as “puppy mills.”
With the measure passed, San Marcos’ hotly-debated pet store, Mini Toy Puppies on Center Drive in San Marcos will have to stop sales of commercially-bred pets.
Now, pet shops in the community will only be allowed to sell dogs, cats and rabbits obtained from animal shelters or rescue organizations.
The ordinance argues pet shops “pose a threat to the public welfare of animals” due to the commercial breeding process by which the animals are often obtained by stores.
“Research shows that animals born and raised at puppy mills, kitten factories and rabbit mills are more likely to have genetic disorders and lack adequate socialization,” the ordinance states. “The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) asserts that animals used for breeding purposes at these facilities may be subject to inhumane housing conditions and indiscriminately disposed of when they reach the end of their profitable breeding cycle.”
Local
The ordinance will go into effect 30 days after its adoption.
