City council members in Fort Collins, Colorado passed an ordinance that bans the retail sale of cats and dogs.
Kelly Ohlson, a council member, said that her vote was for those who can’t speak, according to the Coloradoan.
“It’s important to lend a voice to creatures that don’t have any voice of their own, and in this case doing our part to end the puppy mill pipeline to pet stores,” Kelly Ohlson said. “History is full of things that have run their course and were past their time and needed to be thrown in the dust bin of history, and I think the whole puppy mill feeding pet stores is one of those.”
The new ban, called Ordinance 123, applies to public places — from outdoor markets and parking lots to medians and public parks. It encompasses multiple ways to transfer ownership of a cat or dog, including selling, delivering, adopting, trading, renting and donating. The ban also prohibits retail store owners, operators or employees from disposing of the animals.
The ban does not apply to animal rescues and animal shelters. In fact, the ban may may encourage more people to adopt cats and dogs from shelters.
“The retail sale of dogs and cats in the City is inconsistent with the City’s desire to be a community that is committed to its pets and animal welfare,” the ordinance states. It also notes that the ban will increase awareness for animal welfare and lays the foundation for more humane treatment of cats and dogs.
Animal activist Cara Thorsen led the initiative and was reportedly brought to happy tears by the decision.
“It’s been worth every minute of every hour to get this done,” Cara Thorsen told the Coloradoan, noting that she had help from hundreds of people. “It fully addresses all puppy mill sales in Fort Collins.”
The ordinance takes effect in May 2025.
Lady Freethinker applauds Fort Collins for taking a compassionate stance against puppy mills.
