HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarla Katz 8.18.21Subject: D-194: Retail Pet Sales - Comment Submission to Planning Commission
Dear Ms. Marshall,
Please forward this letter to the entire Planning Commission in regards to D-194: Retail Pet Sales.
I’m a Seattle voter, and a volunteer animal welfare advocate with a good friend in Renton, so I know the
district well. I wanted to share my comments with the Planning Commission to request that you vote in
support of a humane ordinance to prevent pet stores from partnering with commercial breeders that sell
puppies. This ordinance would stop the puppy mill-to-pet-store pipeline in the city and would protect
people from the risk of buying sick puppies and becoming locked into predatory loans with extremely high
interest rates.
If you have ever held an animal in your arms, you know that endorphins are often fired up. You may just
fall in love with the little furry friend instantly, and want to take that animal home on the spot. The choice
of including an animal in your life should not be an impulse purchase. What you won’t realize when buying
a pet in a retail store is:
What condition do the parents live in? Where is the breeding facility? Are the animals are kept in wire
cages stacked one on top of the other? How many hours a day are animals are kept in cages? How often
are animals taken out each day to exercise? How many animals are crammed into the facility? What size
are the cages? Does a particular breed have any tendencies to get complex medical issues? How does the
breed interact with children? How does this animal interact with other animals in your home or with
wildlife?
Reputable Washington state breeders and shelters or rescue groups have more detailed screening or
adoption processes than a retail pet store offers. Pet stores are more concerned about making the sale to
you than your ability to have a long lasting relationship with your new friend. Their process for purchasing
or adoption is far more comprehensive and detailed than it is at a retail store. Some do a pre-screening
process, even before you walk in to meet an animal, and many will also do home inspections. They may
ask questions like: Do you or your children have allergies to dog or cat dander? Do you live in an
apartment, a house or a farm? Will you tether your dog outside 24/7? Is the dog a herding or working type
of dog? Will you keep the dog outside in a fenced in yard? Will you allow your dog to live indoors with you
and your family? Are you able to afford veterinary care?
In addition, reputable breeders shelters, and animal rescue groups s will often allow you to return an
animal if for ANY reason it does not work out for you, at zero cost or stress to you and more importantly to
the animal. A retail pet store may operate on high pressure sales strategies too, and on commissions and
staff may feel like they have to “make their numbers” at the end of the month, which limits their ability to
find truly good, caring homes for these living beings.
Retail pet sales have a deeply negative impact on Renton and the surrounding areas.
Please join the growing number of communities in Washington that care about the humane treatment of
animals and won’t allow businesses to exploit customers—pass a humane retail pet sales ordinance.
Sincerely,