ASPCA Commends Canton, Georgia for Prohibiting Sale of Puppies & Kittens in Pet Stores

NEW YORK—The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) commends the Canton City Council in Canton, GA for passing an ordinance prohibiting city pet stores from selling puppies and kittens. Passed unanimously yesterday by the Canton City Council, this new law will encourage pet stores to partner with local rescues and shelters to offer their animals for adoption rather than support the inhumane puppy mill industry that supplies pet stores.

Canton is the first locality in Georgia to ban the sale of commercially bred puppies and kittens from pet stores, and joins more than 220 localities nationwide that have passed similar laws. A bill introduced in the Georgia General Assembly this session, HB 144, would prohibit local governments across Georgia from passing such ordinances.

“Canton is the first city in Georgia to prohibit pet stores from sourcing their animals from cruel puppy mills, and instead promote adoption of animals from shelters and other humane sources,” said Kevin O’Neill, vice president of state affairs for the ASPCA. “The ASPCA commends Canton for leading the way and we hope to see this trend continue in other cities throughout the state to ensure Georgia does not perpetuate the cycle of cruelty that is all too common in commercial breeding facilities.”

“The Humane Society of the United States applauds the City of Canton for taking a stand against puppy mill cruelty, protecting local consumers, and promoting adoption of homeless pets,” said Debra Berger, Georgia state director for The HSUS. “This ordinance moves us one step closer to the day when cruel puppy mills have nowhere left to sell.”

Many consumers don’t know that most pet store puppies come from puppy mills – large-scale commercial breeding operations where profit is given priority over the well-being of the animals. These facilities house animals in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions without adequate veterinary care, food, water, or socialization. Many of these inherently cruel conditions are legal under federal law, which the USDA regularly fails to enforce.

For more information about the ASPCA and to join the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade, please visit http://www.aspca.org.