probably the main reason tehy are doing it is because there are so many dogs who get put to death because they aren’t adopted. they are good dogs, they just want loving homes, but many people want a pure breed or something along those lines. not only that but pounds and kennels are usually a lot cheaper. we always adopted our dogs from them, and they were always the most amazing dogs in the whole world. they were loving, and loyal and would kill or hurt anybody who tried to even attack our family. i’m all for the ban!

This isn’t related to all breeders. In fact, the small-scale breeders are often very cautious about who they choose to sell their offspring to, given they are regarded as part of their family. Because a good breeder often cares who the new owner is - they’d probably not sell a litter to a store in a shopping mall.  Did you know that there are “animal brokers”? They source from large scale mills and then sell to these stores. Look up HSUS investigation of Pet Land

I think the puppy mills should be the ones being banned. Smaller and more natural breeders are much more humane at how puppies are procured.

The facts are that only 1-2 stores in SF actually sell live pets today and multiple cities in the US already have similar bans in place. Because animals are transported from mills across state/county jurisdiction, this is an alternative route to curbing animal mill demand. Google “live animal ban” and Albuquerque or Hollywood and you’ll see that SF is not leading the charge.

A similar ban for the sale of rabbits was approved over a decade ago after witnessing a predictable death trend where many pet-store rabbit purchases around Easter time would turn into returns at the city shelter and ultimately cost to the community to euthanize the large volume of homeless rabbits.

This isn’t akin to a happy meal ban. This is about animal lives, the cost to taxpayers, and leveraging what has worked within other communities given animal mills are often outside the legal reach.

They keep banning stuff, eventually there’ll be nothing left. Just a roped off area that nobody can enter.

Just stop giving them your business, the problem will solve itself. Or maybe go after the breeders, rather than the businesses.

not all pet stores get their puppies from mills. the one where i got my puppy usually sticks to local breeders. my little buy came from a local breeder. so if anything, SF should put effort into regulating where the animals come from and penalize the root of the problem - mills.

Judging by the comments it doesn’t appear many Buzzfeeders agree with poster Donna C. FFS it’s about time someone said enough of shitty pet stores.

It’s about time. Pet stores and animal mills are fucking inhumane.

I’m not 100% percent sure of dogs, cats, birds, lizards etc but as a fish keeper I can honestly say if you are serious about keeping a goldfish and want a well bred one you’re best bet is going to a tropical fish store (don’t let the tropical fool you) instead of a pet store.

Facism is so mainstream. C’mon San Fran, you used to be cool.

Fuck yeah. Breeders are generally douchebags, even if they aren’t running a straight up puppy mill. Go get yourself an awesome rescue pet.

Great, now I can’t buy useless, exotic pets in an effort to seem cool and different. Thanks a lot, San Fran!

Actually, “Draconian” refers directly to Draco, a legal scribe who created the first set of laws in ancient Athens and thereby paved the way for democracy there.

Wouldn’t it be more prudent to just regulate where pet shops can get puppies from? Like a fine or jail time if caught buying from known puppy mills? Also, to ban fish?! Come on now.

Fuck yes. You rule, SF.

Good. I think people who buy puppies/dogs, especially from pet stores, are semi-evil. Those places just shouldn’t exist. Although I can’t say I’m against buying goldfish…