South Pasadena Bans Sale of Dogs, Cats, and Rabbits

City Council Takes a Stand Against Cruel Breeding Mills, Fights the Homeless-Animal Overpopulation Crisis

For Immediate Release:
May 18, 2017

Contact:
Moira Colley 202-483-7382

At Wednesday evening’s meeting, the South Pasadena City Council passed an ordinance banning the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet stores. The unanimous vote followed appeals by the South Pasadena Animal Commission, local rescue group The Dog Rescuers, local residents, and PETA representatives.

“Cruel puppy, kitten, and rabbit breeding mills churn out animals into a world that’s already bursting at the seams with homeless animals,” says Tracy Reiman, PETA’s executive vice president and a South Pasadena resident. “PETA hopes South Pasadena’s progressive example will inspire other cities across the country to ban the sale of animals in pet stores.”

Every year, more than 6 million dogs and cats end up in U.S. animal shelters, and half of them are euthanized because there aren’t enough good homes for them. Countless more end up on the street, where they may starve, freeze, get hit by cars, or endure abuse. PETA encourages caring people to adopt from local animal shelters and never buy from breeders or pet stores, which only exacerbate the homeless-animal overpopulation crisis.

Pet stores also obtain animals from breeding mills, where animals are denied socialization, exercise, and veterinary care. Mother animals spend lonely lives inside miserable cages, producing litter after litter like breeding machines. Once their bodies wear out and they’re no longer profitable, they’re killed or abandoned.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—is sending rabbit-shaped vegan chocolates to the mayor and city council members and South Pasadena Police Capt. Mike Neff, who was instrumental in putting forth the ordinance.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.