LEGISLATION - Law Prevents Local Governments from Regulating Pet Stores

Arizona Governor, Doug Ducey, recently signed a bill that takes away the ability of cities to prevent pet stores from selling commercially bred animals.

Taking effect August 6th, the law immediately voids existing regulations in cities like Phoenix and Tempe where pet stores are only allowed to sell rescue and shelter dogs and cats.

The new legislation does require pet stores to ensure they are obtaining their dogs and cats only from breeders who comply with standards set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

For many, though, the USDA standards are not good enough.

Tucson councilman Steve Kozachik called the standards “an absolute farce.”

“The USDA is in business to inspect meat in Safeway, not to protect the welfare of dogs in stores,” he said. “The governor needs to understand that by signing this bill he’s embracing ‘puppy mill’ standards that the USDA has admitted in its own documents that they are unable to enforce.”

The new law imposes penalties on pet store owners who do not take steps to ensure that their animals are from breeders that the USDA considers acceptable.

However, a pet store can argue that it conducted a search of USDA inspection reports and did not find violations.

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