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Shelters applaud limits on pet store sales

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Shelters applaud limits on pet store sales Bylaw praised; Toronto stops shops from selling animals supplied by breeders 
By RENÉ BRUEMMER, The Gazette
September 23, 2011 5:02 AM
 

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  An Afghan seized last weekend from a breeding operation in Clarendon had to be put on a puppy diet to get the protein his body needs. Animal protection groups say pet stores should not be allowed to sell animals from breeders.Photograph by: MARIE-FRANCE COALLIER THE GAZETTE, The GazetteMontreal animal shelters are applauding a Toronto bylaw banning pet stores from selling dogs and cats that come from breeders and asking for the move to be copied here.The new law, which stipulates only dogs and cats from animal shelters, rescue groups or people that offer them for free can be sold at pet stores, is aimed at curbing puppy and kitty mills that churn out animals under inhumane conditions for profit.Toronto becomes the second municipality in Canada to regulate the sale of animals. Last October, Richmond, B.C., banned the sale of all puppies at its pet stores."Certainly it's something we would like to see happen here," said Alanna Devine, spokesperson for the Montreal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals."We know there is a correlation between pet stores and puppy mills - there is no disclosure from pet stores as to where their dogs and cats come from. ..."Secondly, we have enormous pet overpopulation problems - there are hundreds and thousands of dogs and cats coming in."This weekend, 16 dogs from Quebec are being driven to Toronto by the Companion Animal Adoption Centres of Quebec. It's a regular delivery, noted Johanne Tassé, head of the CAACQ. The organization has sent 700 dogs to Toronto since May."Our pounds and shelters are overflowing, because nobody's adopting - they're buying them from pet stores that buy them from producers who are creating a product that is not needed," Tassé said. "There is a glut in the market."As long as shelter animals are being killed in shelters and pounds, only shelter animals should be sold."Local pet stores were reluctant to comment."This (new law) is in Ontario and has nothing to do with us," said a manager who would only identify himself as Peter from the head office at Nature Pet Centres, which runs six pet stores in and around Montreal."With us everything is OK. We get dogs from the proper resources."A pet store employee whose job is to purchase animals said her store was careful about verifying where its dogs and cats came from.Many breeders who said they were certified with Anima-Quebec, the non-profit agency mandated by the province to oversee the security of dogs and cats, raised their animals in terrible conditions and were not purchased by her store, said the employee, who spoke on the condition her name not be used."What is needed is for Quebec to change the laws about how animals are protected if things are going to change," she said.The Canadian Kennel Club advises its members not to sell to pet stores, which makes it harder to find ethical suppliers, she noted.Her pet store doesn't like to take animals from shelters or rescue groups because they can't be sure of their background, she said.Devine of the SPCA countered that in contrast to pet stores, all shelter animals undergo a physical examination and behavioural analysis, are sterilized, vaccinated and paired with a suitable family.And they can be returned if it doesn't work out."Our animals are not sold - we partner them with a family that is appropriate and will stay with them for life," Devine said. "It's a completely different mentality from pet stores."Animals purchased at pet stores are often impulse buys that end up abandoned, she said.If shelters were to pass their animals through pet stores, they would want to oversee the process to ensure they went to a good home, Devine added.She said some stores, like the PJ's chain, have stopped selling puppies and instead support animal adoption agencies.The costs of adopting an animal - which range from $75 to $285 for dogs and $75 to $175 for cats, with kittens and puppies being the most expensive and those older than 4 or 5 selling for less to encourage adoption - are there to cover medical and housing expenses, Devine said.It's estimated 50,000 dogs and cats are abandoned in Montreal every year.The SPCA euthanizes five to seven per cent of its dogs because they're too aggressive or dangerous to place, Devine said.Estimates for the percentage of cats that are put down are as high as 80 per cent, due to overpopulation.Shelter workers said they have nothing against people buying from breeders, as long as they make the effort to visit the premises and ensure they're ethical.Most responsible breeders don't sell to pet stores, because they want to see the families their animals are going to.Shelters suggest families that are set on a certain breed check with them first - 25 per cent of shelter animals are purebreds, and websites like petfinder.com list breeds available at shelters in one's area."You want a black Lab?" said Tassé. "Come see me. I've got black Labs up the yingyang."Officials from the city of Montreal weren't available for comment.In June, the city formed a committee of experts to help create new bylaws on animal control to be introduced by the end of the year.rbruemmer@ montrealgazette.com© Copyright (c) The Montreal Gazette   E-mail this ArticlePrint this ArticleShare this Article    

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    An Afghan seized last weekend from a breeding operation in Clarendon had to be put on a puppy diet to get the protein his body needs. Animal protection groups say pet stores should not be allowed to sell animals from breeders.Photograph by: MARIE-FRANCE COALLIER THE GAZETTE, The Gazette    E-mail this GalleryPrint this GalleryShare this Gallery   

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