Thousands of people have signed petitions calling for a ban on the sale of puppies and kittens in stores in Burnaby.
And yet the city of Burnaby and its politicians have chosen to ignore their concerns. Frankly, it’s baffling.
While the city does ban selling turtles – because turtles might end up being dumped in city lakes – it seems to consider the welfare of dogs and cats not worthy of its attention. This despite the fact that many other cities have already banned the practice.
Our story in a recent edition of this paper once again highlighted the situation at the Pet Habitat store in Burnaby.
Puppies and kittens are displayed in glass enclosures in the store. On a busy Sunday, spectators and potential buyers are sometimes two-people deep trying to get a look at the wee animals. People rap on the glass with their keys to try and get the animals’ attention. Often the puppies and kittens look scared and distressed.
But that isn’t the most troubling aspect of this sales program. The most troubling aspect is that these animals are shipped from the United States, exported by a huge company that buys the puppies from breeders. It is a puppy mill operation. Perhaps not the same kind of puppy mills that have been raided here in B.C., but the unfortunate goal is the same: to sell as many animals as possible for as big a profit as possible.
A person buying a puppy or kitten from a store in Burnaby has no idea if that puppy or kitten has been raised in a barn/kennel or has been raised in a home. But chances are pretty good it hasn’t been raised in a home.
Contrast that to the way one should buy a purebred puppy – if you must. Respected breeders will show you the parents of the puppy. They will know the temperament of the parents, and they will have personal references from people who have bought puppies from them. They will also want references from you. Is this puppy going to a suitable home? A breeder that cares about their dogs or cats will care about where the dog or cat will end up. And they will not sell it to you unless you can prove you will be a responsible owner.
City councillor Sav Dhaliwal told this paper that he would support a ban. “There’s no need to have them sold in the store,” he said.
He argued puppy mills are the symptom of what happens when animals are mass produced and sold, adding that pet stores can lead to impulse buying – and that’s not a good way to get a pet that will require years of often costly care, training and commitment.
We agree.
So, c’mon, Burnaby, do the right thing.
Don’t make people petition you to do it.
