Title
An Ordinance to Add Chapter 92 (Humane Pet Acquisition) to Title VII of the Code of the City of Ann Arbor (ORD-23-18)
Memorandum
A. A significant number of puppies, kittens and rabbits sold at pet shops are sourced from large-scale commercial breeding facilities ("puppy mills", "kitten mills", and "rabbit mills", respectively) which do not adequately provide for the health and welfare of the animals. According to the Humane Society of the United States, it is estimated that 10,000 puppy mills produce more than 2,400,000 puppies per year in the United States and that most pet shop dog, cats and rabbits come from pet mills.
B. The documented abuses endemic to puppy, kitten, and rabbit mills includes over-breeding, inbreeding, minimal to non-existent veterinary care, lack of adequate and nutritious food, water and shelter, lack of socialization, lack of adequate space, and lack of adequate exercise.
C. The inhumane conditions in puppy, kitten and rabbit mills lead to health and behavioral issues in the animals bred in those facilities, which many consumers are unaware of when purchasing animals from pet shops due to both a lack of education on the issue and in some cases misleading sales tactics by pet shops. Those health and behavioral issues, which may not present themselves until sometime after the purchase of the animals, can impose exorbitant financial and emotional costs on consumers.
D. Similar issues have been found with regard to the breeding of ferrets.
E. Current federal and state regulations do not adequately address the sale of pet mill dogs, cats, rabbits, and ferrets in pet shops.
F. Due in large part to pet overpopulation, thousands of dogs, cats, rabbits, and ferrets are euthanized in Michigan animal shelters annually.
G. Requiring pet stores to source animals from shelters and rescue organizations is likely to decrease the demand for puppies, kittens, rabbits, and ferrets bred in pet mills.
H. Sourcing from shelters and ...
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