Dallas Bans The Sale Of Dogs & Cats In Retail Pet Stores Beginning In November 2022

Last month, the Dallas City Council unanimously voted to pass the Dallas Humane Pet Store Ordinance which will take effect on November 11th of this year.

“Since January 2021, we have been working tirelessly to pass this Ordinance to close the puppy mill pipeline in Dallas to stop hundreds of sick puppies from being shipped from out-of-state puppy mills,” Stacy Sutton Kerby, Director of Government Relations at Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN), said in a statement. “Over the years, the THLN helpline has regularly received complaints about Dallas retail stores selling sick or unhealthy puppies. We are so grateful to Chair Adam Bazaldua, Mayor Pro Team Chad West, the entire Quality of Life, Arts, & Culture Committee, and city staff for their support and attention to such a vital animal welfare issue right here in our community.

Bazaldua emphasized in a post on his Facebook page that the ordinance will help end the mistreatment of animals by breeders.

“This Ordinance will support dozens of local humane pet stores in Dallas that do not sell puppies, but rather, adopt puppies who desperately need loving families,” stated Karen Froehlich, President and CEO of SPCA of Texas. “Our shelter alone has over 1,000 animals in our care today, and shelters across Texas are transporting thousands of adoptable dogs to other states due to overcapacity. The time is right for Dallas to pass this Humane Pet Store Ordinance, both for animals and our community.”

Dallas joins other cities in Texas including Austin, College Station, El Paso, Euless, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Sherman, and Waco that have passed a similar ordinance. It is believed that, at this time, Petland is the only pet store in the city of Dallas to sell puppies and kittens.

“We are proud that the City of Dallas is once again putting the interests of dogs and cats first,” noted Ed Jamison, CEO of Operation Kindness. “As Operation Kindness works with more than 70 shelter partners across the region, we know that shelters are full of wonderful animals that need homes. We hope this ordinance will help the community consider adoption as their first choice when bringing a pet into their family.”

You can help all animals and our planet by choosing compassion on your plate and in your glass. #GoVeg