In a 6-1 vote, commissioners voted to not make it possible for any new retail pet merchants in the county. Present retailers are exempted.
PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla — Pinellas County commissioners listened to from dozens of people today in excess of the retail sale of cats and pet dogs.
With shelters filling up, worries ended up raised around the humane cure of animals marketed in shops.
After an hrs-extended assembly, commissioners banned the retail sale of cats and canine in a 6-1 vote on Tuesday.
Beneath this new ordinance, there will not be any new retail pet shops popping up but present outlets will never have to close down.
Whilst present retail pet retailers are exempt, they now facial area tighter restrictions underneath the ordinance, this sort of as not being in a position to broaden or relocate.
“The point of sale has to be turned in from every single pet retail outlet for every single puppy dog sold and to animal services on a regular foundation,” stated Doug Brightwell, the director of Animal Products and services in Pinellas County. “We are heading to be stricter on that timeline for when individuals have to be submitted.”
Vet information also have to be submitted, as very well as cage minimum demands and sourcing every time a dog is offered.
Dozens of speakers attended the county commission assembly to communicate in favor and towards the county-large ban.
Many speakers were asking for a overall ban, with no grandfather clauses included.
“Halt the insanity Pinellas!” Rose Hart shouted for the duration of her three-minute community talking part in front of the commission. “Everyone who has beloved an animal is aware they have hearts and souls. Let’s see if you commissioners do.”
The frequent worry amongst all speakers was the animal cruelty at puppy dog mills.
Brightwell reported they do not have a formal definition for a pup mill and have no authority overregulating them.
“If shutting down every single pet store would shut down each and every pet mill, then I’d be for shutting down each and every pet shop,” Dan Cohn, the owner of Sunshine Puppies reported. “No challenge. But which is not what is happening.”
Cohn stated shutting down shops like his will only supply more organization to pet mills.
He also mentioned he has furnished a thorough checklist of all of his breeders to the town of Largo, all of whom are vetted.
Reps from SPCA Tampa Bay spoke in favor of phasing out retail pet suppliers more than the upcoming 12 months.
“40 new animals each day coming into shelters in our community,” claimed Martha Boden, CEO of SPCA Tampa Bay.
She stated with so numerous animals previously in shelters, it need to be the first possibility when households are seeking to incorporate a four-legged addition.
Brightwell reported in the last two weeks, the quantity of animals in the county shelter has doubled.
This ordinance goes into impact as soon as it is really filed with the Section of Condition, which has to be finished in the following 10 times.
To browse the comprehensive ordinance, simply click listed here.