Controversial legislation in municipalities across North America is sparking debate between the pet retail industry and animal rights activists.
In Phoenix, AZ, last month, city councillors voted to pass a law prohibiting the sale of puppies and kittens in pet stores. Adoption models prevail under this legislation as only rescues would be available in shops.
READ MORE: Phoenix's attempt to curb puppy mills challenged
Earlier this year, InfoStream reported that four leading U.S. organizations were joining together to support a pending lawsuit challenging this prohibition. The American Pet Products Association (APPA), the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC), the Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA) and the World Pet Association (WPA) collectively donated $125,000 to support the lawsuit brought into the U.S. District Court in Phoenix on behalf of a local pet store, Puppies ‘N Love.
The new law is aimed at mass-breeding facilities (often called puppy mills) but APPA President Bob Vetere said Bans of this nature often punish stores and breeders who sell quality pets and breeds unavailable in shelters.
“These restrictions threaten our industry,” he said. “By working together to overturn these types of bans, we can use this opportunity to establish better standards for both breeders and pet stores.”
READ MORE: Petland CEO defends retail sale of pets
The industry banding together to fight this and funding the fight brings the sourcing discussion to a new level. A Certified Quality Mark developed and regulated by the Alliance for Urban Animals is one of several relevant and crucial conversations taking place at the Urban Animal Forums on Friday 24 October at the 2014 Summit for Urban Animal Strategies.
Advocates on either side of this debate are invited to attend the Summit and participate in these discussions to help ensure the conversation moves forward in a direction acceptable to all involved parties.
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