The City Council of San Diego unanimously passed a Companion Animal Protection Society’s proposed ordinance ban of retail sale of dogs, cats and rabbits
SAN DIEGO, Calif., July 10, 2013 – Yesterday, San Diego became the second largest city in the United States to ban the sale of companion animals. The decision mirrors other initiatives, spearheaded by Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS) , in cities across the US and Canada.
The City Council of San Diego unanimously voted in favor of a CAPS’ proposed ordinance prohibiting the sale of factory-bred dogs, cats and rabbits in retail stores within the city. The Office of the City Attorney worked closely with CAPS to draft this final proposal that will go into effect in 30 days. Over 30 cities across the country, a number of them in California (including West Hollywood, Glendale, Irvine, and Los Angeles), have passed similar legislation.
CAPS formally introduced the ordinance on March 13, but talks between the City of San Diego and the non-profit began back in June 2012. Other animal welfare organizations joined forces later on to assist in the effort. This will be CAPS’ fifth successfully introduced and passed ordinance of its kind and the 32nd city in the US with anti-puppy mill legislation.
“We got the ordinance we wanted. Getting it passed has been hard work but when I come home and look in the eyes of my little puppy mill dog, it makes me happy to have participated in making the sale of puppy mill dogs illegal in my city,” said Sydney Cicourel, San Diego campaign coordinator for CAPS, who’s been working on the ordinance for more than a year with the committee.
Contact CAPS for more information about the ordinance, investigations into San Diego area pet shops, or CAPS ongoing national awareness campaign (Models Against Pet Shops and Puppy Mills): caps@caps-web.org
