Canadian Kennel Club Comments on new restrictions on the sale of dogs and cats

Changes in Store for Toronto Pet Retailers

Following a motion postponement in May 2011, Toronto City Council voted September 21 to restrict the sale of dogs and cats in all Toronto pet stores. Specifically, the amendments to Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 545, Licensing, Article XX, Pet Shops serve to restrict the sale of dogs and cats, unless they hail from a municipal shelter, Humane Society, registered rescue group or from ‘surrenders’. The impetus for this new legislation came about “in order to address the number of unwanted pets, impulse purchases of cats and dogs in pet stores, the supply and demand for dogs from puppy mills” as well as “the concerns about the care and treatment of cats and dogs kept in pet stores for sale.”

According to Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker’s office, the passing of this motion does not affect our Toronto member breeders whatsoever. Council is aware that CKC member breeders voluntarily subscribe to the code of breeder practice and code of ethics and do not sell directly to pet stores.

CKC continues to encourage prospective puppy buyers to contact local breeders when researching and considering the purchase of a purebred dog.


Read more on CKC Website

Shelters applaud limits on pet store sales

Montreal animal shelters are applauding a Toronto bylaw banning pet stores from selling dogs and cats that come from breeders and asking for the move to be copied here.

The Companion Animal Adoption Centres of Quebec regularly delivers dog to Toronto for adoption, since May of this year approximately 700 have been sent.

"Our pounds and shelters are overflowing, because nobody's adopting - they're buying them from pet stores that buy them from producers who are creating a product that is not needed," Says Johanne Tassé head of CAACQ. "There is a glut in the market. As long as shelter animals are being killed in shelters and pounds, only shelter animals should be sold."

Read the full article in the Montreal Gazette

Also of interest

See what the Canadian Federation of Human Societies says.

Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council of Canada (PIJAC) Statement

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