[Adopted 7-19-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-15]
The Mayor and Council make the following findings:
A.
A significant number of puppies and kittens sold at pet shops come
from large-scale, commercial breeding facilities where the health
and welfare of the animals are not adequately provided for ("puppy
mills" and "kitten mills," respectively). According to the Humane
Society of the United States, it is estimated that 10,000 puppy mills
produce more than 2,400,000 puppies a year in the United States and
that most pet shop dogs and cats come from puppy mills and kitten
mills.
B.
The documented abuses endemic to puppy and kitten mills include overbreeding;
inbreeding; minimal to nonexistent veterinary care; lack of adequate
and nutritious food, water and shelter; lack of socialization; lack
of adequate space; and lack of adequate exercise.
C.
The inhumane conditions in puppy and kitten mill facilities lead
to health and behavioral issues in the animals bred in those facilities,
which many consumers are unaware of when purchasing animals from pet
shops due to both a lack of education on the issue and misleading
tactics of pet shops in some cases. These health and behavioral issues,
which may not present themselves until some time after the purchase
of the animals, can impose exorbitant financial and emotional costs
on consumers.
D.
Current federal and state regulations do not adequately address the
sale of puppy and kitten mill dogs and cats in pet shops.
E.
Restricting the retail sale of puppies and kittens to only those
that are sourced from shelters or rescue organizations is likely to
decrease the demand for puppies and kittens bred in puppy and kitten
mills, and is likely to increase demand for animals from animal shelters
and rescue organizations.
F.
According to the New Jersey Department of Health 2014 Animal Intake
and Disposition Survey, due in large part to pet overpopulation, more
than 20,000 dogs and cats are euthanized in New Jersey animal shelters
annually, including nearly 1,500 in the County of Camden. Restricting
the retail sale of puppies and kittens to only those that are sourced
from animal shelters and rescue organizations will likely reduce pet
overpopulation and thus the burden on such agencies and financial
costs on local taxpayers.
G.
Across the country, thousands of independent pet shops as well as
large chains operate profitably with a business model focused on the
sale of pet services and supplies and not on the sale of dogs and
cats. Many of these shops collaborate with local animal shelters and
rescue organizations to offer space and support for showcasing adoptable
homeless pets on their premises.
H.
This article will not affect a consumer's ability to obtain
a dog or cat of his or her choice directly from a breed-specific rescue
organization or a shelter, or from a hobby breeder where the consumer
can see directly the conditions in which the dogs or cats are bred,
or can confer directly with the hobby breeder concerning those conditions.
I.
The Mayor and Council believes it is in the best interests of the
Borough to adopt the following reasonable regulations to reduce costs
to the Borough and its residents, protect the citizens of the Borough
who may purchase cats or dogs from a pet shop or other business establishment,
help prevent inhumane breeding conditions, promote community awareness
of animal welfare, and foster a more humane environment in the Borough.
As used in this Article IV, the following terms have the meanings set forth:
An animal control center or animal shelter, maintained by
or under contract with any state, county, or municipality, whose mission
and practice is, in whole, or significant part, the rescue and placement
of animals in permanent homes or rescue organizations.
Any not-for-profit organization which has tax-exempt status
under § 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue
Code, whose mission and practice is, in whole or in significant part,
the rescue and placement of animals in permanent homes.
A member of the species of domestic cat, Felis catus.
A member of the species of domestic dog, Canis familiaris.
To sell, offer for sale or adoption, advertise for the sale
of, barter, auction, give away or otherwise dispose of a dog or cat.
A retail establishment where dogs and cats are sold, exchanged,
bartered or offered for sale as pet animals to the general public
at retail. Such definition shall not include an animal care facility
or animal rescue organization, as defined.
