The West Hollywood City Council voted unanimously on August 18 to ban the sale of animals, making it the first city in the United States to adopt such a measure.
The decision followed testimony from PETA and other animal advocates, and adds to the city’s history of animal welfare legislation. West Hollywood was previously the first U.S. city to prohibit glue traps, the sale of fur, and cat declawing.
“West Hollywood has done it again, with Mayor Chelsea Byers and the entire City Council agreeing with PETA that it’s time to stop greedy retailers from selling animals to people who aren’t prepared to provide them with the complex care they need,” said PETA President Tracy Reiman in a statement. “This historic ban will spare parrots from dismal lives in a cage, snakes from confinement in tanks so small they can’t stretch out, and fish from swimming endless circles in filthy bowls, and it sets a precedent that PETA urges all other cities to follow.”
PETA said its investigations into the pet trade have documented systemic animal suffering, citing breeding mills where hamsters are kept in waste-filled bins and pet stores where dead or dying betta fish have been found on shelves.
The ordinance positions West Hollywood as a national leader in progressive animal protections, and could serve as a model for other municipalities.
What I find fascinating about this new law, as well as this effusive congratulatory article, is now where is it discussed what pet stores / retailers this effects – nor any comments from that “side” of the issue. Does WeHo even have a pet store that sells animals? So far as I know, Petco on Doheny sells fish. Anyone / anywhere else?!? So all this is about preventing the “torture” to some fish. Meanwhile, daily we walk over drugged out homeless sleeping on our sidewalks, keeping our dogs from sniffing out their defection in the bushes, and gingerly throwing away… Read more »
Adopt a pet ..go to a shelter…fall. in love with a face or a look. I have loved strays, orphans cats all my life. I had two full breed, with papers, pedigreed dogs that I loved (although not a huge success story) They live on in my heart. I cherish the ones who walked in my door uninvited and stayed; the ones in the box by the 7-11, the. the ones my best friend has delivered, tiny and terrified to my door. My son and I brought one home who smelled as though he was born with litter of puppies.… Read more »
Well I thought I found an abandon newborn puppy and took care of her. She grew up to be a very interesting Coyote that domesticated very well beyond expectations !
Rather than figuring out ways to stop bums from crapping on the sidewalks, the useless City Council once again virtue signals and bans the sale of Goldfish and Spiders. You can’t make this up.
Serious Public Health risks exist with exotic animal/pet trade, especially Zoonotic Disease ❗ Over 70% of emerging infectious diseases originate in wildlife. Live animal markets, where humans & various animal species in close proximity, are breeding grounds for pathogens to develop the ability to jump species & risk potentially lethal disease outbreaks. Diseases linked to wildlife trade or markets that jumped species include SARS, COVID-19 (Wuhan Wet Market in China), Ebola, MPOX and, various strains of Avian Influenza including H5N1. Lizards, reptiles and amphibians sold as pets are sources of Salmonella infections including typhoidal strains that’s potentially fatal if NOT… Read more »
Our city council, city hall and chamber of commerce spend serious time on banning the sale of pets and protecting drag shows when they should be helping small businesses to open and thrive, ensuring the completion of massive real estate developments they approved and attracting tourists to come and support our retail and food and beverage establishments. But everything they do is ass backward. Save the city before it’s too late.
The virtue signalers will actually hurt a lot of animals and people. This will force even animal lovers into the black market. These laws exist in many misguided Democrat cities.
Can you elaborate?