To the editor,
Re: Council requests more information about retail pet sales, Aug. 17.
I want to express my strong support of the proposal to ban the sale of cats, dogs and rabbits in local pet stores. I would like to see this taken a step further and ban the sale of all live animals in pet stores. My husband and I have personally adopted five animals from the SPCA, rescue groups and one was a private adoption. The one puppy that we did purchase from a reputable breeder came with full health records, pedigree and a health guarantee. We also met this pup’s full family and were charged a lower price because we signed a contract to never breed him. The rescue pets were likely all products of impulsive purchases from their original owners, two of whom seriously neglected the medical needs of these animals.
RELATED: Council will take a longer look at pet sales before making decision
A pet store will always look at any animal as a commodity. If you take the time to look at the local SPCA websites, you will notice a spike in the number of animals, particularly rodents, that are available in the summer months. Clearly the excitement of a ‘Christmas pet’ has worn off by this time and interferes with summer vacations.
I would love to see stores work in partnership with adoption agencies, such as the SPCA to find loving forever homes for animals, with the well-being of these animals the first priority.
Amanda Marshall, Nanaimo