Irvine is considering sweep rules that would ban the sale of cats and dogs at retail shops in the city and bar traveling animal-entertainment acts such as circuses, petting zoos and rodeos from coming to town.

Legislation to protect "companion animals" is being drafted, and a City Council majority voted last week for formal plans implementing the three animal-welfare ordinances to be drawn up and presented in 120 days.

"In general, Irvine has shown great interest in animal welfare," Mayor Sukhee Kang said at the council meeting. "The ordinance proposed would position Irvine with other progressive cities implementing ordinances to prevent instruments and exploitation of animals within their respective city boundary."

Only one pet shop in town, Russo's Spectrum Pets in the Irvine Spectrum, still sells cats and dogs. The shop may be allowed to continue selling the animals until its lease runs out or for a yet-to-be determined time period if the council adopts the ordinance banning retail sales of cats and dogs.

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-- Sarah Peters, Daily Pilot / Times Community News

Photo: Russo's Spectrum Pets in Irvine. Credit: Don Leach / Daily Pilot