Richmond BC Bans Pet Store Sales
The city council of Richmond, British Columbia, decided unanimously to ban the sales of puppies and kittens through pet stores.
As usual, a few vocal pro-commercial breeding proponents objected strenuously to the proposed legislation, saying that a law banning sales of animals in pet stores would lead to a ban on puppies and kittens being sold by responsible breeders. City council, however, heard well balanced testimony that made the point quite clear that no responsible breeder ever sells to pet stores, and that pet store stock comes almost universally from puppy mills and high volume “puppy farms”.
From the Vancouver Sun:
“The City of Richmond showed such leadership being the first in Canada,” said Lorie Chortyk, general manager of community relations for the B.C. SPCA. “We’re really hoping that this is something other municipalities will see as the progressive way to go.”
Councillors voted unanimously for the amendment, initially proposed by Coun. Ken Johnston last year, after hearing from more than a dozen delegations. It will be brought to council for preliminary approval on Oct. 12, followed by public consultation.
Pet-store owners would be given until next spring to sell or remove all dogs.
Chortyk said the decision will help prevent the breeding of puppies in puppy mills, where they are subject to cruel and inhumane conditions.
“Pet stores will always tell you that they only deal with reputable breeders and family-run breeders, but our experience has been just the opposite,” Chortyk said. “Pet Habitat, for instance … get their dogs from the Hunte Corporation, which is a massive puppy broker in the U.S.”
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Katherine Heigl Says “Yes” to No Kill
The list of celeb-u-tards who are also Peta spokes-wanks is so long that even the scientologists are jealous, which is what makes Katherine Heigl’s news announcement so fantastic.
Instead of jumping on SpaceShip Peta, where killing pets equals saving them, Katherine has stepped up and donated $1 million dollars to no kill shelters, and to low cost spay/neuter programs.
The star of Warner Bros.’ upcoming film “Life As We Know It” is kicking off a pet initiative to increase awareness and help curb the pet population crisis. Each year 500,000 animals without homes are sheltered and euthanized in California, costing the state $250 million.
“What’s happening is not only inhumane and morally reprehensible, it’s economically irresponsible,” Heigl said. “Killing is not a solution.”
The project is in association with the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation, which was named after her brother who was killed in a car accident 24 years ago.
In addition to the contribution to spay and neuter programs, the JDHF will continue to support Learn to be a Best Friend (a training and education obedience program); transport programs moving animals from local shelters where they would be euthanized to humane societies, rescue organizations and “no kill” shelters; and continue to promote pet adoption.
Cesar Millan of National Geographic Channel’s “The Dog Whisperer” joined Heigl in the announcement.
“I think we have to work a little harder and call ourselves a dog lover country,” he said.
Happily Ever After for Peanut
Peanut and Denise
Peanut, our Frenchie foster -slash- whirling dervish house guest, went off to her forever home over the weekend. I got her as far as Beamsville, and FBV foster volunteer Karen took her to Buffalo, NY, where she met up with Peanut’s new mom, Denise.
As sad as we are to see her go (right up until Saturday morning, Sean kept mentioning that “Peanut didn’t take up any room – we might as well just keep her”. There’s also the chance he might have hinted that we could give Sailor a dye job and send her instead of Peanut), it’s nice to know she has a home where she can be the divine diva she’s always wanted to be.
Peanut now lives in Massachussets, with mom Denise and big brother, Romeo. She’s also managed to snag herself an honorary “Grandma and Grampa”, and she obviously knows which side her bread is buttered on, because our lap shy little girl instantly crawled up onto Denise’s dad’s lap and made herself right at home.
Manipulation, thy name is Frenchie.
Happy trails, Peanut – long may you spin in circles, my adorable little weirdo!