Phoenix, Arizona Made It Mandatory for Pet Stores to Only Sell Adoptable Rescue Animals

By Jenny Zhang on August 10, 2015

Phoenix, Arizona is the latest major US city to make it mandatory for pet stores to only offer adoptable rescues from shelters. A federal judge recently ruled to uphold a 2013 ordinance banning pet stores from selling dogs and cats raised by commercial breeders. Phoenix, as well as 59 other cities and counties that have passed similar laws, hope that the legislation will shut down puppy mills by curbing demand for them.

Puppy mills breed puppies for profit and supply most of the dogs sold in pet stores. These operations commonly prioritize money over the health and well-being of the pups and their parents. Many of the older dogs who are used for breeding are kept in cages their whole lives, never knowing the joy of running on grass, the happiness of playing with canine friends, or the bliss of getting a belly rub from a loving human.

Frank and Vicki Mineo, the owners of Puppies ‘N Love pet stores in Phoenix, first challenged the Arizona ordinance in 2014, and they plan to appeal this new ruling. The couple, who say that they are not advocates of puppy mills, claim that the requirements will unfairly hurt their business, which buys from only “USDA licensed breeders.”

Despite the concerns of business owners like the Mineos, however, the majority of animal lovers are overjoyed by news of the judge's ruling. Crowded shelters and rescues are often unable to accommodate the high volume of dogs and cats who are in need of forever homes. Requiring pet stores to sell adoptable rescues helps save the lives of millions of animals who would otherwise be put down. Instead of giving business to puppy mills, you can support the adoption of rescue and shelter pets, who are only looking for the love and affection of a family to call their own.

Above photo source: The Humane Society of Southern Arizona / Facebook

Photo source: Arizona Humane Society / Facebook