Council opts to nix animal sale ban
A push by National City Councilwoman Alejandra Sotelo-Solis to ban animal sales in pet stores as a way to reduce inhumane practices, was voted down 3-2.
During a June 21 meeting, council members considered taking away the right of pet store owners to commercially sell non-rescue animals in the city after city staff members gave an update on the issue.
Sotelo-Solis said a ban would reduce the number of animals in shelters that aren’t adopted from being euthanized.
Shelters’ pet adoption fees waived on Saturday
“There’s so many animals that need additional housing and many of them may end up in the pound,” she said.
Councilwoman Mona Rios also wanted a ban, however the majority ultimately decided to keep things status quo.
In December 2013 the City Council took no action on a report from staff members regarding the same issue.
While National City does not have an ordinance regulating the sale of animals in stores it does have an ordinance banning the sale of animals in public.
In May, Sotelo-Solis asked city staff members to return with information regarding current regulations for local pet shops to clarify what the license allowed owners to do.
The subsequent meeting discussing the issues was controversial and passionate, with the majority of 25 public speakers asking for a ban on commercial animals sales.
Among the majority is Jennifer Brehler, chief operating officer of the San Diego Humane Society, which believes many pet stores get animals from puppy mills and kitten factories where they are bred and raised in cramped, inhumane conditions.
“The intent of any possible ordinance is not to target responsible breeders who place animals thoughtfully,” Brehler said. “The reason is to stop the sourcing of animals from puppy mills specifically.”
In addition, ban proponents say it would not only reduce the number of animals treated inhumanely, but encourage the adoption of more pets from shelters and rescue groups.
Pet store owners and some mass breeders say the criticism is overstated and that bans limit consumer choice, threatens long-term viability of dog breeding and encourages the “underground” sale of animals.
Mayor Ron Morrison said the problem National City has is caused by “backyard” breeders, which is why so many animals end up in shelters and there aren’t any complaints for National City to ban a business that’s “thriving.”
“If you have a healthy business you should allow people to have a choice and if people are doing bad things with animals you go after them,” he said.
Regulation of the pet stores is done through city code enforcement and animal regulation officers from the National City Police Department.
The report cites one instance at National City Puppy where overcrowding was an issue.
There are currently four pet stores in the city. They include Pet Market #3 on Sweetwater Road, National City Puppy on East Plaza Blvd., Puppy Patch inside of Westfield Plaza Bonita and Petco on Highland Avenue.
National City Puppy and Puppy Patch sell dogs along with other animals and pet supply products. Pet Market #3 has shelter dogs for adoption and Petco has sheltered cats available for adoption.
Fiesta Pet Shop, previously on Highland Avenue has closed.
Seven cities in the county have banned pet stores in the communities from selling dogs and cats.
They include Carlsbad (May 2016), Chula Vista (April 2012), Encinitas (July 2015), Oceanside (September 2015), San Diego (August 2013), San Marcos (January 2016) and Vista (October 2015).
