Workshop Item Cathy Sorensen, City Clerk
Title
Title
Retail Pet Store Ordinance Discussion
end
Background
At the July 12, 2021, workshop Councilmember Smith requested council consider a possible ordinance amendment that would restrict the retail sale of pets in the city. After discussion consensus was to bring the item forward for council consideration and staff direction.
Description
During the workshop Councilmember Smith shared the following points in support of an ordinance amendment:
- Ensure transparency in where pets obtained in the city are coming from as part of consumer protection.
- Across the country, thousands of independent pet stores as well as large chains operate profitably with a business model focused on the sale of pet services and supplies and not the sale of commercially bred dogs or cats. Many of these stores collaborate with local animal shelters and rescue organizations to offer space and support for showcasing adoptable homeless pets on their premises.
- Federal and state regulations do not properly address the sale of dogs and cats in pet stores, the parameters not adequate, and difficulties with addressing concerns at the state level. Very few businesses choose a business model that offers pets for sale which leaves it to local government to pass ordinances that match the needs/values of local residents.
- Consumers can have ability to obtain a dog or cat of their choice directly from an animal shelter, or breed-specific rescue organization, or from a breeder where the consumer can see directly the conditions in which the dogs or cats are bred or can confer directly with the breeder concerning those conditions without pets being offered for sale in stores.
- Roseville adopted an ordinance that places constraints around pet sales which could be an ordinance to start from.
- A total ban on sales could be an area for Council discussion.
- At a minimum proposed full transparency in where the pets are coming from, with exact expectations of transparency made clear.
- Long history of inaction at the state level.
- The only way to make an impact is to restrict sale of pets or at a minimum provide transparency of source(s).
Council discussion that occurred at the workshop included the following points:
- The current retail pet sale business has been inspected by the police department over the years and no concerns with the treatment of animals identified.
- Concern about implementing additional restrictions that supersede state law.
- Concerns about an ordinance that targeted one specific Blaine business.
- Transparency on sourcing was already occurring upon request.
- Implementation of an ordinance upon sale of current business.
Additional Information
State statute currently requires licensing of kennels that includes procedures, inspections, and administration, as well penalties and the mechanism to report concerns to the Board of Animal Health. Concerns can also be directed to the police department to address immediate concerns.
Options for Consideration
1) Full retail pet sales ban, either immediate or based on future date
o Pros
§ accomplishes goal of restricting/eliminating retail pet sales
o Cons
§ significant impacts to current retail pet sales store business model
2) Licensing model
o Establish a purpose, definitions, eligibility, inspections and standards of care, and penalties
o Similar to current kennel licensing ordinance
o Could include mechanism similar to massage enterprise licensing ordinance where the number of licenses are decreased through attrition
o Pros
§ accomplishes goal of ensuring transparency, elimination of pet sale through attrition
§ establishes minimum levels of standards of care
o Cons
§ Possible impacts to current retail pet sales store business model
• Decrease value of business for any future sale
§ Staffing/costs to manage licensing process, including inspections and enforcement
• Difficulties in effectively conducting inspections as staff are not trained in animal health
• Staffing needed to conduct inspections of breeders, most of which are located outside Blaine and even out of state
3) No proposed ordinance amendment
4) Other options as identified during council discussions
Recommendation
Council direction on retail pet sales is requested.
Attachment List