[Order Michael Finch’s new book, A Time to Stand: HERE. Prof. Jason Hill calls it “an aesthetic and political tour de force.”]
When Mike Ricci wanted to buy his daughter a puppy, he discovered that in his state, “There were pet stores but none that sell puppies (or kittens).”
Ricci, being president of Stossel TV, investigated.
He discovered that eight states now ban retail sales of dogs, cats and rabbits. Animal activists want the bans extended to all states.
They say this is needed to save animals (and protect pet buyers) from abusive puppy mills — places that breed animals over and over, often resulting in inbred and unhealthy puppies.
The activists tell people: buy only from “responsible breeders.”
But how does one know who that is?
“Every site says ‘this is the best breeder … ethically sourced. Treated well,'” says Ricci in this week’s video.
“They say, ‘Don’t trust the pet stores!’ But am I supposed to be able to figure out from a website which breeder is great?”
Small pet stores “are the experts,” says Alyssa Miller-Hurley. She lobbies for them and says most don’t sell abused puppies. “Business owners know that you can’t survive if you’re providing a bad product.”
Good point, says Ricci. “Had there been a pet store in my town, I could have gone there and complained, ‘Hey, why’d you sell me a bad dog?’ I would tell my friends, ‘This pet store sells bad dogs! Don’t go there.’ That store’s going to close.”
Not so, replies Brian Hackett of the Associated Humane Societies. “Just because they’re still in business doesn’t mean they’re operating humanely.”
“So just ban all sales?” I ask.
“Every pet store ordinance or legislation I’ve worked on,” he says, “has overwhelming support from pro-business Republicans and left liberals.”
Of course they do. Both parties like pleasing activist groups, especially ones that give money to politicians, and also run dramatic TV ads showing abuse.
But what about the owners of pet stores forced out of business?
Hackett says, “They don’t have to sell puppies.”
They don’t have to sell puppies?
Chains like PetSmart and Petco survive doing that, but many pet stores rely on selling dogs and cats. After all, they’re pet stores.
After California banned sales, say pet store advocates, 95 percent of the impacted stores went out of business.
Yet the “ban pet stores” campaign is winning. More states will probably ban pet sales.
But how often does banning things solve a problem?
Animal activists say the bans are the only way to get rid of abusive puppy mills.
But Miller-Hurley points out, “A decade ago, they said there were over 10,000 puppy mills within the United States. Since then, eight states and hundreds of localities have passed these retail sales bans.”
The result? They still say there are 10,000 mills.
So “by their own measurements, these bans aren’t successful,” she continues. “What they are successful at is fundraising … they aren’t actually actively engaged in any real animal care.”
They aren’t?
I thought the ASPCA and humane societies run animal shelters!
But they rarely do.
The ASPCA collects more than $300 million in donations but gives only 2 percent of that to shelters. Most of its money goes for advertising and salaries. Its CEO pays himself $1,203,267.
Because New York state bans pet store sales, Ricci ended up driving more than 100 miles to a breeder in Pennsylvania. He’s happy with his puppy but has no idea if the breeder treats dogs humanely. He was shown medical records but asks, “How do I know if they were legitimate? They are the first dog medical records I’ve ever seen.”
I agree with his conclusion: Pet store bans do more harm than good.
“There’s already laws against animal abuse and neglect. Enforce that. Don’t pass new laws.”
Banning things that people want rarely works. Prohibition was repealed because it created new problems. The same is already true for pet store sale bans.
After California banned pet store puppy sales, puppy scams surged by 350 percent.
“It is not up to the government to tell people where they can get their animal,” complains Miller-Hurley.
Unfortunately, state by state, that’s what politicians are doing.
As a pet owner, (two cats found as kittens in a roadway and a “rescue” dog), I find this ban to be incredibly stupid.
What will people do for a pet, start making back alley deals for a bootleg puppy?
“The ASPCA collects more than $300 million in donations but gives only 2 percent of that to shelters. Most of its money goes for advertising and salaries. Its CEO pays himself $1,203,267.”
Altruism strikes again. Altruism is the biggest and most evil scan in human history. The career politician and the career humanitarian, and now the career animalitarian, are three altruist snakes to run from when you see them begging for your money.
That’s exactly why I only give money to my local no-kill shelter.
Actually bought my cat from a shelter nearby that rescues orphan cats, dogs, sheep, horses, pigs, dogs, ..whatever needs rescuing. Got my wonderful kitten there seven years ago. Best cat ever.
Most dogs are treated better than humans. Banning sale of dogs is corrupt: ASPCA collects more than $300 million in donations. Folks who donate them are idiots.
We only donate to our local animal shelter where they NEVER kill dogs oe cats, The ASPCA DOES,,
ASPCA is nothing more than a huge money-making anti human scheme….the money is spent on tons of advertising to get MORE money and pay lots of high salaries. Very little actually helps animals. They push animals rights over human rights. I would never give them a red cent.. Besides that, I won’t give to any “save the animal” groups until we stop killing unborn babies in America.
It’s bad enough that we humans have to suffer the corruption of mismanaged bureaucracies. Apparently the animal kingdom is becoming the deep state’s latest target. And knowing their tendencies, I wouldn’t be surprised if they figured out a way to expand their sphere of over-zealous govt enforcement. What will be next? Regulating the sale of plants and vegetables? And why would they stop there? There must be untapped opportunities in the world of micro-organisms that haven’t yet been considered. The possibilities are mind boggling.
We NEVER donate to the ASPCA because they kill dogs, cats, and other pets. We do donate to our local animal shelter where all pets are kept alive until they are adopted. Our wonderful cat, Daisy.,, came from a no-kill shelter.
As a pet breeder I can tell you there is only one way to improve the breeding and treatment of pets and that is for buyers to do their due diligence and research. banning pet stores from selling pets may or may not make a difference. You really need to know what you are doing when you buy a pet and don’t just trust to the seller. If people do that the bad breeders will get weeded out including the pet stores. Start with people you know. who have pets. Learn about the pet you want so when you talk to a breeder you know what you are talking about. There are lots of test that are supposed to be done and there are pets that should never be bred. Learn about it!
Several years ago we stopped a this huge Flea Market. It had been there for DECADES but we’d never went out of our way to go look at other people’s junk. My Wife decided I wanted to go there! The name had changed to something sort of Spanish sounding. As we walked through the multiple buildings and spaces, it was apparent that the “stuff” for sale was about 90% Chinese crap with a little Mexican leather stuff. This was in Georgia but it was more like Mexico with a tinge of China! There was so much repetition of the spaces – nothing much authentic but then we saw some animal cages! They had little rabbits – $50.00! Kittens – $150!! Puppies – $150!! I couldn’t believe it! You can go on facebook and there are plenty of people BEGGING for someone to come get a cute little puppy or kitten! I wonder if those for sale had been a FB Free one!! Our two calicoes are rescues and our yellow tabby was evidently dropped off on our porch by his Mother! Now if you want a pure bred something or other you’ll have to pay someone, but free kittens and puppies will Love you just the same!
While it may be true that banning pet/puppy sales is another ratchet towards cherry picking what commerce a “free” people may participate in, there are more than enough dogs and cats up for adoption at animal shelters. If someone really wants a pet they can go to a shelter and adopt. Most shelters somewhat screen applicants before adopting, something that does not happen at a “puppy store”.
Just go to your local shelter and see how many dogs are owner surrender/returns. In addition, people today are generally incredibly stupid, and have no concept of the amount of work it takes to raise sociable, happy dogs. Just go to a local dog park and see how the humans act around each other and their respective “pets”. There are also a lot of illegals and anchor baby “Americans” from other cultures that are prone to despicable violence against dogs. Preventing easy access to pets via pet store purchases without screening applicants is helpful in reducing pet returns to shelters, if they make it that far.
Animal Rights idiots especially PETA is opposed to having or owning Pets these activists are the biggest idiots there are and stupid as well