San Antonio: Councilman Pelaez Highlights New Pet Sales Ordinance, Innovative Animal Control Policy

Press release from the City of San Antonio:

October 29, 2020

SAN ANTONIO (October 29, 2020) — Today, Councilman Pelaez voted in City Council A Session for the adoption of a new pet sales ordinance that would - among other provisions - require local retailers to only sell cats and dogs that were sourced from a registered animal rescue group, animal control agency, or a county animal shelter.

“This policy can better foster the adoption of animals in our community, diminish the amount of stray animals in our neighborhoods, and potentially increase our already high live release rate,” said Councilman Pelaez. “It is critical to note that commercial operations that sell cats and dogs can continue the practice. Only now they will do so by sourcing from shelters and rescue organizations instead of fueling an industry that too often overlooks animal welfare in the pursuit of profit.”

“Thanks to the San Antonio City Council, our city will no longer import hundreds of dogs from out-of-state puppy mills. Today’s vote signals that we are on the right side of animal welfare history and prioritize the adoption of pets locally,” said Katie Jarl, Southwest Regional Director at the Humane Society of the United States and District 8 Appointee to the Animal Care Services Advisory Board.

In addition to the aforementioned restrictions, this policy also requires retailers who sell cats and dogs to ensure that they are sterilized, implanted with a microchip, immunized against common diseases, and free of common parasites before they can be sold.

Despite these restrictions, neighbors will retain the choice to acquire purebred animals from licensed breeders.

This press release was produced by the City of San Antonio. The views expressed here are the author’s own.