"Retail bans re essentially a feel-good effort that does little to nothing to address substandard breeders," Watson told MarionStar.com, adding that as few as 2 per cent of puppies are purchased in pet stores. "The math is pretty simple. If every pet store selling puppies closed tomorrow, not a single breeder would go out of business."
Since 2007, nearly 50 U.S. cities have outlawed retail pet shops in response to growing concerns that puppy mills are sourcing their inventory. These municipal bylaws are designed to curb impulse buying as well as abuses by commercial breeders. 3
Several Canadian communities have also adopted bylaw amendments which prohibit pet stores from selling dogs and cats unless they come from a registered non-profit rescue or shelter but the implications on small businesses can be drastic. In 2013, following the overturning of a pet sale ban in Vernon, B.C., President and CEO of PIJAC Canada, Louis McCann explained the solution is not in banning pet sales but in promoting positive relationships between retailers and the community.
"The focus moves retailers and service providers from defending a right, to being transparent providers and offering themselves as part of the solution to a community concern," said McCann.
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