A late-night vote in Burbank, California, has that city following in the footsteps of many before them. When the final “yea” vote was cast, the crowd in attendance cheered.

The Southern California city, most known for its ties to movies and TV, joins an elite club of 30 municipalities across North America that are now part of this growing trend to stop puppy mills at the point of sale. Burbank, which once saw the largest influx of puppy mill puppies, shows that the momentum to stop the sale of mill puppies is building to unbelievable levels.

Elizabeth Oreck, national manager of Best Friends’ puppy mill initiatives, knew she had quite an uphill battle on her hands when she began this in February of 2012. Burbank’s primary pet store selling pets from the mill trade (there were only two) was a fixture of the community. In business for more than 50 years, they openly admitted they sourced the animals from the Midwest, and the stories of customers purchasing sick dogs were plentiful.

Oreck recalls her first meetings with Burbank council members: “When I sat down with them just about one year ago, they weren’t all aware of what a puppy mill was. I really had to start at ground zero, but we knew that it was worth the effort.”

The yearlong effort was not without its fair share of hurdles along the way. Even up until last night, there was a suggestion to exempt all currently in-operation pet stores. But Oreck and members of Burbank C.R.O.P.S (Citizens for Rescue-Only Pet Stores) worked with council members to help them understand why that kind of exemption would mean any ordinance would be lacking teeth. The version that eventually passed gives current stores six months to comply, and then bans retail sales moving forward.

Considering where it all began, the 4-1 vote just shows what tenacity and collaboration can do.

“The community really, really came together to show their support for this,” says Oreck. “That’s what makes this so exciting. There was a lot of pressure to not pass this, but over the course of the last year, we’ve really been able to turn the tide.”

It’s yet another big victory and a validation of our strategy to end the demand for animals from mills. However, this is far from over. So help us spread the word:

• Check out our puppy mill resources, and learn how you can get involved.
• Spread the word amongst your friends on social media — use our resource “What Is a Puppy Mill?” to educate about the issue.
• Use our resource “Alternatives to Buying Pets Online or from Pet Stores” to help your friends understand where they can find their next family member.

Original Post: The Best Friends Blog
Julie Castle
Senior Director, Communications
Best Friends Animal Society

Burbank this week joined the growing list of cities that have banned the retail sale of pets, but built in a six-month grace period for existing pet stores.

Under the ban adopted by the City Council Tuesday, pet shops in Burbank can only obtain cats and dogs from animal shelters or rescues. 

During the six-month grace period, pet shops are required to obtain the animals from breeders licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and must post the name, address and license number of the breeder, as well as information on how the consumer could trace the animal’s origin.

Dozens of animal activists swarmed the council chambers Tuesday with emotional testimonies in support the ban, contending that mill animals are bred in unsanitary conditions and often end up ill. 

Eight-year-old Yanellie Ireland took the stand, tugging at the council’s heartstrings with a video in which kids stood behind a dirty wire fence to give a voice to the voiceless.

“Puppy mills are bad places,” Ireland said. “[Puppies] can’t talk, can’t tell you how they feel or have been treated…I hope you be a voice for them too.”

Still others took a more economic stance. Burbank High School economics teacher Bob Shaw worried the ban could devastate small businesses. 

“No one wants to have a small business to have so many restrictions that it wont be able to survive,” Shaw said.

But during the meeting, Peggy Wood’s Pet Emporium operators, who’ve been under fire in recent months following accusations of profiting off puppy mill dogs — allegations they’ve strongly denied — surprised the crowd when they announced the store would convert to a pet adoption center.

“The health of pets we sell have always been our No. 1 priority,” said store owner Ira Lippman. “I want to thank those customers who remained loyal to us, and welcome back to those who have not seen us for a while.”

The council’s move not only bans the sale of mill-bred animals, but also the ability for stores to sell pets from any breeder — commercial or hobbyist — a move that some said was draconian. 

“Do we ban all products from other countries because they use child labor?” Shaw said. “If that were the case, then the majority of Burbank businesses would be hurting big time.”

Councilman Gary Bric also struggled with the severity of the limitations, calling them “just a little too restrictive,” but ultimately supported the ban.

Councilwoman Emily Gabel-Luddy contended that would-be Burbank pet owners could just buy pets directly from responsible breeders.

“I think the ban limits the convenience of choice, but it does not take away nor limit choice,” she said. 

The council approved the ban 4-1, with Councilman David Gordon the lone voice of dissent.

Original Post: BURBANK LEADER
-- Alene Tchekmedyian, Times Community News
Follow Alene Tchekmedyian on Google+ and on Twitter: @atchek.

We were shocked and very disappointed to learn that Burbank has not yet joined other progressive cities to ban the sale of mill animals from retail pet stores. With all the information about commercial breeding facilities available, it seems unbelievable that these barbaric places still exist and that a large percentage of the public are still unaware. The reality is state and federal laws are slow to change and it is easier to pretend this is not going on.

This is why we depend on the Burbank City Council to listen to us and to make important changes that will trickle out and up. By individual cities banning pet stores from selling what are really substandard products, these breeding factories would cease to exist.

It seems clear that puppy mills are cruel places where man’s best friends are confined to small wire cages, with no adequate food, water or vet care. The animals get sick due to these poor living conditions, and female dogs are forced to have litter after litter until they can no longer produce, and then they are killed. It also seems clear that as long as pet stores continue to sell mill animals this will never end. Burbank needs to ban the sale of mill animals from retail pet stores.

Adam and Lindsay Rittmiller
Burbank

SOURCE: burbankleader.com

Puppies and kittens are lifetime commitments, not gifts or toys to be played with for a short period of time and then tossed aside, disregarded or replaced by the next latest and greatest “thing.” This is what happens when these adorable little balls of fur and fluff are purchased as presents and it is easier than ever to buy a pet in a store or online. With just one click, a life can be purchased.

Internet sales tragically have become a major forum for puppy mills to sell directly to the public without any regulations. These sites show healthy, happy pups frolicking in fields. How does one really know what the living conditions are for those pups? How does one know that the photo of the adorable pup shown is really the one that will be sent, or even if it is, that it will be healthy? What happens if it is not what you thought, what you wanted or if it is sick? How do you get your money back, or return the life bought? This really is an outlet for more exploitation, inhumane treatment and defrauding the community.

The best way to get what you want and have the most guarantees are to see the pup, kitten, dog, cat, rabbit, etc. in person. By meeting the pet you know the size, color and weight and get a better idea of behavior/personality. The largest selection to pick from is at the shelters and rescues where animals are seen by veterinarians. Adoption fees are inexpensive and include shots, sterilization and microchip. With all the money saved you can buy toys, good food and training if necessary. By adopting you are saving a life, and isn’t that the best gift?

Ali Cohen
Burbank

SOURCE: burbankleader.com