San Francisco pet stores can no longer sell non-rescue animals

Click through this gallery for a glimpse at some of the Bay Area's rescued pets.

Ronan, a chihuahua short coat mix, about 2 and half months old, is soon to be adopted at the SPCA in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, April 17, 2012. An SPCA study finds that about 30 percent of San Franciscans get their dogs from puppy mills. less Click through this gallery for a glimpse at some of the Bay Area's rescued pets.

Ronan, a chihuahua short coat mix, about 2 and half months old, is soon to be adopted at the SPCA in San Francisco, Calif., on ... more Photo: Liz Hafalia, The Chronicle Photo: Liz Hafalia, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 14 Caption Close San Francisco pet stores can no longer sell non-rescue animals 1 / 14 Back to Gallery

Pet stores in San Francisco can only sell rescue animals under new legislation passed on Tuesday by the city's Board of Supervisors.

The board unanimously voted to amend the health code "to prohibit pet stores from selling dogs or cats not obtained from animal rescue organizations or shelters." The amendment will also prohibit "the sale of puppies or kittens under eight weeks old."

In an editorial for the SF Examiner, District 4 Supervisor Katy Tang explained that the ordinance is "designed to bring attention to and halt the inhumane and deceptive practices of large-scale breeding operations."

The ordinance does not prevent breeders from conducting business within the city.

According to Tang, there are no pet stores in San Francisco that currently sell cats and dogs from breeders.

Wrote Tang: "This ordinance will serve as a deterrent, preventing a business from moving into San Francisco and selling animals from irresponsible mass-producing breeders that churn out puppies and kittens as if they were on an assembly line."

Read Michelle Robertson’s latest stories and send her news tips at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com.