At the end of February, the Indiana state Senate approved a bill that would explicitly prohibit banning retail pet sales, according to the Indiana Capital Chronicle.
Instead, the bill would allow businesses to source from USDA-approved breeders registered with the state’s Board of Animal Health. The bill comes after a spur of cities in the state have passed bans on retail pet sales.
Pet Sales vs. Animal Rescues
Currently, community ordinances in several Indiana cities prohibit pet stores from selling dogs—among other animals—sourced from breeders. Instead, store owners are required to work with animal care or rescue organizations to show adoptable pets.
In early March, the state capital of Indianapolis passed its own ordinance banning the commercial sale of several animals including dogs and cats. Together, these community efforts are ensuring animal safety and assisting rescue efforts by placing dogs in forever homes.
However, businesses large and small have weathered the new rules more severely. For small shops like Delilah’s in Bloomington, the city ordinance has drastically reduced business and risks closing the shop. Pointedly, business owners say that the well-intentioned bill doesn’t protect animals as much as welfare advocates presume. Additionally, small pet stores are unable to compete with retail giants with food and toy sales.
Pet Sale Bans Continue Growing Nationally
Notably, the bill comes as state legislatures across the country are debating the ethics of retail pet stores. Significantly, the State of New York recently approved a total ban on retail sales of dogs, cats, and rabbits. The bill enjoyed bipartisan support and was hailed by animal welfare groups as a vital step in securing animal health nationwide.
Although this bill in Indiana would grandfather in existing bans, animal advocates say the state is trading in animal welfare for economic profit. However, as dog owners, we always have the choice between buying and adopting. Although retail pet sales are convenient, the right choice is always to adopt, don’t shop.
