Manasquan Moves to Ban Sale of Dogs, Cats

A draft ordinance introduced last week by Manasquan's governing body would ban the retail sale of dogs and cats in pet shops. 

Citing research from the Humane Society of the United States, the draft ordinance (2120-12) says that many licensed breeders in fact breed dogs or cats "in relatively inhumane conditions." 

Commonly referred to as "puppy mills" and "kitten factories," such breeders have been known by authorities to over-breed, inbreed, lack standard veterinary care, provide poor-quality food and shelter, lack human socialization, and over-crowd cages, the draft says. 

It adds that dogs bred in so-called puppy mills are more likely to have behavorial and/or health problems. 

"[T]he Borough Council believes that a community that promotes animal welfare will be a healthier community," the draft says. 

Violators of the proposed ordinance would face either fines of up to $2000, 90 days in jail, community service, or a combination of the three, the draft says. 

The governing body, according to the draft, also believes the proposed ban would encourage more pet adoptions from shelters, "thereby saving animals' lives and reducing the cost to the public sheltering of animals." 

In addition to pet shops -- defined as retail establishments open to the public wherein animals are kept chiefly for the purpose of sale for personal appeciation or companionship -- kennels also would be banned from selling and breeding both dogs and cats. 

Kennels are defined by the draft ordinance as "any establishment wherein or whereon the business of boarding or selling dogs or breeding dogs for sale is carried on." 

The draft, however, would allow sales of animals that were seized, rescued or donated to shelters, pounds or "other establishments."

Officials last week said the borough's lone pet store owner had no issue with the proposed ordinance. 

Last month, nearby Brick Township banning the retail sale of dogs and cats.