HomeMy WebLinkAboutGina_Cari_por@rentonwa.gov_20220404_AttachmentTestimony for Renton City Council, February 28, 2022
Good evening Mayor Pavone and distinguished council members. Thank you for the opportunity to
speak. My name is Gina Cari, I am a Renton resident/voter and an animal advocate. I, along with my
fellow animal advocates, have been waiting with baited breath for Renton to pass a Humane Ordinance.
I appreciate all the hard work that has been put into this.
Just as a quick timeline review,
On January 27, 2021, Bailing Out Benji contacted the Renton City Council about passing a humane
ordinance.
On February 8, 2021, Bailing Out Benji contacted the Renton City Council making them aware that
Puppyland was preparing to open a pet store in Renton, selling puppymill puppies.
On February 12, 2021, Puppyland opened their doors and started selling puppymill puppies here in
Renton.
On March 8, 2021, The Renton City Council referred “Retail Pet Sales” to the Planning Commission.
On July 27, 2021, Puppyland obtained a business license (over 5 months AFTER opening). (I don’t
understand why they were allowed to do business without a license and without regulations, but they
did!)
In the meantime at the state level, HB 1424 had its first reading on January 29, 2021. Governor Inslee
signed HB1424 on April 16, 2021 with an effective date of July 25, 2021 (accomplished in 7 months).
The passing of HB 1424 caused the Renton Planning Commission some concerns about potential impacts
and delayed forward movement of the retail pet sale regulations.
On August 18, 2021, the Renton Planning Commission held a public hearing for the proposed retail pet
sales regulations.
On December 15, 2021, the Renton Planning Commission announced they will be pursuing a humane
ordinance in response to public outcry. Personally, I am thrilled that we are in agreement and doing the
right thing.
On January 19, 2022, it was announced that in the anticipation of a lawsuit, starting the hearing process
for a Humane Ordinance is again delayed.
I do not understand why we continue to allow Puppyland to do business (making money so they can file
a lawsuit against us). Let’s stop the madness!
So, what I want to know is where do we go from here? How many more steps are there and what’s the
timeline? My personal goal is that Puppyland is no longer selling puppies by the 4th of July. Is that
possible?
Thanks so much for reviewing the timeline with me. Please let me know the next steps and what I can
do to facilitate the passing of a Humane Ordinance here in Renton.