Backed by Lehigh Valley animal rescues, Bethlehem City Council on Tuesday gave its unanimous, initial approval to a prohibition on pet shop sales of dogs, cats and rabbits.
The proposal up for final approval Jan. 2 mirrors laws passed in Allentown in October 2022, in Easton in May and Forks Township in August.
Bethlehem’s bill allows a pet shop within city limits to partner with an animal shelter or animal rescue to display dogs, cats or rabbits for adoption. The proposal bans animal shelters and rescues from purchasing a dog, cat or rabbit from a breeder or broker.
It does not impact residents who wish to purchase an animal from a breeder outside the city, officials said.
Violating the measure would result in a summary offense punishable by a fine of at least $250-$500 “per animal offered for sale.”
Bethlehem does not currently have any pet stores that would be impacted by the proposed ordinance, according to its sponsor, city Councilwoman Grace Crampsie Smith.
Bethlehem police Chief Michelle Kott said she agrees with the goals of the measure, which city police in partnership with animal control would enforce.
The proposal aims to help in the fight against pets raised by puppy or kitten mills, which can raise pets with overbreeding and inbreeding; minimal veterinary care; and inadequate food, water and shelter, space, socialization and exercise, Crampsie Smith said. It also would protect consumers who may face financial and emotional stress when faced with a new pet’s unanticipated health or behavioral issues arising from unscrupulous breeder practices, she said.
Hal Warner, president and CEO of the Lehigh Valley Humane Society, spoke in favor of the proposal during a city council committee meeting Tuesday night. He described a national crisis facing animal shelters.
Nationally, shelters took in 245,000 more pets in 2023 than in 2022, including 600 more in the Lehigh Valley year-over-year, Warner said. The Lehigh Valley Humane Society’s tally reached 3,000 animals rescued this past year, he said Tuesday.
Representatives of the region’s Sanctuary at Haafsville and Animal Defenders Greater Lehigh Valley also voiced their support for the prohibition.
In addition to the Lehigh Valley communities, other Pennsylvania locales that have similarly banned pet shop dog, cat and rabbit sales are Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Wilkinsburg, Sharpsburg and Bellevue, the advocates said.
Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.
