The city of West Hollywood voted in favor of prohibit the sale of all living animals within their territory.
This week, the City Council was in favor of the ban, which means that pet stores They cannot exhibit, sell, deliver, offer for sale, exchange, auction, give or transfer or have any living animal.
This provision extends a municipal ordinance in force since 2010 that prohibits the retail sale of dogs and cats.
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The new ordinance now includes rabbits, amphibians, arachnids, birds, fish, reptiles, hermite crabs and any other mammal that was no longer prohibited.
According to the City Council, pet stores They must suspend the sale of animals as of May 1, 2026.
The ordinance contemplates some exceptions to the new prohibition, as animal shelters and animal control facilities; Animal protective societies, animal rescue organizations and breeders.
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Pet stores can continue selling under the ban, while animals come from animal control or an animal rescue organization.
Some organizations defending animals rights were in favor of the prohibition after considering that Many pet stores get their animals with “cruel hatcheries”.
According to the city of West Hollywood, a 2005 investigation showed that Almost half of the pet stores visited showed animals in poor condition and with visible signs of disease, injury or negligence.
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“We have observed the suffering of many animals in pet commercewhich are often raised in deplorable conditions, ”said the Animal Alliance Network in a letter to the City of West Hollywood.
“These animals are frequently extracted from their natural habitats and transported in inhuman conditions, What entails cruelty and death“He added.
According to the alliance, There are many animals waiting to be adopted In shelters and rescue centers of good reputation, so there is no need to raise, capture or sell to other animals.
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The amendment is expected to end in September, while West Hollywood pet stores have until May 1, 2026 to suspend the sale of live animals.
To learn more about the Ordinance approved by the City Council of West Hollywood, You can enter this link.
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