Ordinance to ban sale of dogs and cats at pet stores moves to full council in Lexington

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) — “The reality is most of the puppies on display come from a puppy mill, one of the most depressing and disgusting places on earth. While they may appear healthy many times these puppies will have diseases,” says Danielle Helsdottir, a former employee at Petland.

Most families dream of adopting a furever friend, but for some cats and dogs, their reality can be harsh depending on where they’re coming from.
It is recommended to adopt, don’t shop.
And here in Lexington an ordinance to stop the sale of cats and dogs has garnered approval in the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council Social Services and Public Safety Committee.

“There are two parts of the ordinance, one is it would stop pet shops from selling dogs and cats. And it would stop the sale of dogs and cats in flea markets, parking lots, other outdoor spaces like that. And the ordinance is important for a few different reasons is one we know that Lexington families are often whining and was sick puppies and kittens from the pet shops that engage in this practice,” said Todd Blevins, the Kentucky State Director of the Humane Society of the United States, he says the ordinance is a way to make Lexington a more humane place.

“We also know that shelters and rescues in Lexington and elsewhere are in a code red state right now, where they are completely overflowing with animals, and this is an important way to try to address that,” added Blevins.

During the meeting, Blevins says two of the 15 pet stores in the county sell cats and dogs.
One former employee of Petland spoke on what she has seen.

“As these innocent creatures will come into the store and be subjected to a vet exam that lasts all of 30 seconds, not near enough time to properly notice if something is wrong, they then go into display cages sick and clearly suffering where they are sold to unsuspecting customers,” also said Helsdottir.

Blevins adding that the ordinance is mainly a deterrent.

“The way the ordinance is written is it would be a $500 fine, any time, a pet shop or a flea market seller, for instance, is found in violation of the ordinance. It would be a $500 fine for every time a dog or cat is sold or offered for sale,” he said.

Elizabeth Kunzelman, the Vice President of Legislative and Public Affairs at Petland, Inc. sending an email to ABC 36 and the council members regarding the ordinance that reads in part, “Banning pet stores doesn’t stop puppy mills, it fuels them. Eliminating a licensed, regulated source opens the floodgates for the black market, unregulated, REAL puppy mills to prey on customers through online portals, Craig’s List, local advertising, flea markets and parking lots. These mills fly under the radar, are not licensed by the state or the USDA and are not subject to any inspections or standards. We believe responsible independent businesses should be given the right to conduct business in a free market economy. We believe in all the consumer protection provisions that customers of a brick and mortar are afforded.”

The ordinance now goes to the full council who will vote on it in the coming months.