San Diego Bans Pet Stores, Promotes Adoption

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In a packed chamber hall on Tuesday, the San Diego City Council voted unanimously to ban the commercial sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits city-wide. The decision was met with cheers and applause from the crowd, and a little grumbling.

The ban, which goes into effect in 30 days, will require pet retailers to only get dogs, cats, and rabbits from animal shelters, humane societies, and rescue groups. Those opposed to the ban argue that it penalizes “well-run” shops that sell “properly registered animals.” But many people disagree.

“These animals live their entire lives in small cages,” said Sydney Cicourel of the Companion Animal Protection Society. “They never touch the ground, they never have a name, never have a toy.”

To learn more about puppy mills and animal adoption, visit the puppy mill info pages of the ASPCA and the Humane Society of the United States.

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