California became the first state to ban retail pet stores from selling kittens, rabbits and puppies unless they come from a rescue organization. This will become effective after a new state law goes into effect Tuesday.
AB 485 is the new law and with it California became the first state to implement such strict new rules on pet stores. Retailers are banned from selling live dogs, cats or rabbits unless the animal was obtained from a public animal control agency or shelter, humane society group, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals shelter. The animals can also come from a rescue group that’s in a cooperative agreement with at least one private or public shelter.
Suna and Mitch Kentdotson were visiting the SD Humane Society to adopt a new kitten on Friday. They said they’d like to see the state restrict neglectful breeders from profiting off the sale of puppies and kittens.
“I think it’s better to rescue these animals instead of having like a puppy mill or something like that where these animals are raised super inhumanely,” Suna Kentdotson said.
“It takes the emphasis off the profit of animals and puts the emphasis back on caring for and getting these cats and dogs a good home,” Mitch Kentdotson said.
San Diego County’s Broadway Puppies in Escondido, which has a sister store in National City said according to the company’s website, they only use responsible licensed breeders. But after Tuesday, they’ll only be able to sell pets from shelters.
The Humane Society reported that it hasn’t been contacted by any local retail pet stores inquiring about the purchase of its animals. But even if they do contact the group, the Humane Society isn’t sure it would partner with the stores.
“We’re not prepared to do that ourselves, because we have a fairly robust adoption program,” MacKinnon said.
The San Diego Humane Society will be one of the local organizations monitoring retail pet stores to make sure they follow the new rules.
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