Thursday, January 28, 2010

This just in: West Hollywood may ban the sale of dogs and cats


West Hollywood Considering Banning Sale of Dogs and Cats in Pet Shops

West Hollywood, California (January 28, 2010) - This just in: West Hollywood may ban the sale of dogs and cats next week.


A proposed West Hollywood ordinance may slow the sale of puppy mill animals. WeHo News.

City Council member Jeffrey Prang made the first announcement yesterday, a brief mention in the prospective City Council agenda for Feb. 1; Carole Davis of Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS) confirmed for WeHo News late on Thursday that the item would be on the agenda.

Ms. Davis said, “CAPS assisted the Animal Legal Defense Fund and the City of West Hollywood in drafting the ordinance, as well as providing evidence,” sufficient to cause City Council to act.

Resident Ed Buck, Director of Social Compassion in Legislation and a Golden Retriever rescue volunteer, said of the proposed bill, “could be the beginning of the end of puppy mills and it's happening in West Hollywood, one of the most progressive cities on animal welfare issues."

The ordinance stems from an investigation of a West Hollywood pet store, Elite Animals near Hancock and Santa Monica Boulevard, which uncovered evidence they allegedly sold puppy mill dogs.


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WeHo News.

Additionally, the retailer was also allegedly breaking federal law by importing animals for resale.

Elite Animals has since stopped its offending business practices, but Ms. Davis and other concerned citizens wanted to make a statement about animal rights using West Hollywood’s considerable megaphone.

West Hollywood’s pioneering bill banning cat de-clawing caught on like wildfire, especially last year as cities’ ability to ban the practice hit a deadline of banning it by 2010 or allowing it forevermore.

Ms. Davis said, "West Hollywood's City Council has shown great leadership, wise judgment and compassion,” in taking that action and, “by considering an ordinance banning the sale of cats and dogs in our city's pet stores [may]… save countless shelter animals' lives locally and will send a strong message to abusive commercial breeders all over the nation."


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West Hollywood Proposes Ban on Sale of Cats and Dogs, Rescue Community Cheers


Jan 29, 2010 11:00 ET

CAPS Announces West Hollywood City Council Considering Ordinance Banning Sale of Dogs and Cats in Pet Shops

Watch CAPS undercover investigation of West Hollywood pet shop:

LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - January 29, 2010) -


Who: Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS), www.caps-web.org, is the only national non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to protecting companion animals from cruelty in pet shops and puppy mills.

What: Following a CAPS undercover investigation of West Hollywood pet stores and a five and a half month protest of West Hollywood pet store Elite Animals, W. Hollywood City Council will be considering an ordinance that will prohibit the sale of dogs and cats in pet shops, with an exemption for the adoptions of shelter and rescue animals.

When: 6:30pm, on Monday Feb.1st

Where: 647 N. San Vicente in West Hollywood, CA, 90069

CAPS investigated Elite Animals and discovered that the store was selling puppy mill dogs and defrauding customers. CAPS obtained undercover footage of employees of the store telling CAPS investigators that their dogs were from "good, private breeders." Elite Animals was also selling dogs from commercial breeding operations in Russia, outside the jurisdiction of the Animal Welfare Act. The W. Hollywood pet store was in violation of a federal law prohibiting the import of dogs under the age of six months for resale (Farm Bill of 2008).

CAPS investigators also obtained graphic footage of abused dogs from Elite Animals' suppliers, Gerry and Angie Wensmann, who operate a substandard breeding facility in Minnesota. The puppy mill supplying Elite Animals in WEHO and other retailers around the nation has multiple violations reported by inspectors for the USDA. The dogs are exposed to the elements, caged in harsh and filthy conditions, are injured, sick, and show signs of severe psychological distress.

CAPS assisted the Animal Legal Defense Fund and the City of West Hollywood in drafting the ordinance as well as providing evidence.

"West Hollywood's City Council has shown great leadership, wise judgment and compassion by considering an ordinance banning the sale of cats and dogs in our city's pet stores. During this historic recession afflicting our state, we must relieve our overburdened shelters by promoting adoption as the only ethical choice when bringing a companion animal into our hearts and homes. This ordinance, if it passes, will save countless shelter animals' lives locally and will send a strong message to abusive commercial breeders all over the nation." --Carole Davis, W. Coast Director, CAPS

"This could be the beginning of the end of puppy mills and it's happening in W. Hollywood, one of the most progressive cities on animal welfare issues." --Ed Buck, Social Compassion in Legislation Director and West Hollywood resident

About CAPS : Founded by President Deborah Howard in 1992, Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS) is the only national nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to protecting companion animals from cruelty in pet shops and puppy mills. CAPS actively addresses the abuse and suffering of pet shop and puppy mill dogs through investigations, education, media relations, legislative involvement, puppy mill dog rescues, consumer assistance and pet industry employee relations.

CAPS undercover investigation of West Hollywood Pet Store:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flDK74ZkURk

CAPS protest at Elite Protest of Elite Animals in West Hollywood:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BpleOas2go

KTLA news story on West Hollywood anti puppy mill protest

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVzYK0jglGw

West Hollywood children protesting puppy mills:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IuyzCWHfo4

Media Contacts:
Carole Raphaelle Davis
West Coast Director of CAPS
310-990-5758
Email Contact

Deborah Howard
President, Founder of CAPS
781-210-0938
Email Contact

Companion Animal Protection Society Announces West hollywood City Council Considering Ban on Sale of Cats and Dogs

CAPS Announces West Hollywood City Council Considering Ordinance Banning Sale of Dogs and Cats in Pet Shops


Watch CAPS investigation of West hollywood Pet Shop Elite Animals

Who: Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS), www.caps-web.org,
is the only national non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to protecting companion animals from cruelty in pet shops and puppy mills.

What: Following a CAPS undercover investigation of West Hollywood pet stores and a five and a half month protest of West Hollywood pet store Elite Animals, W. Hollywood City Council will be considering an ordinance that will prohibit the sale of dogs and cats in pet shops, with an exemption for the adoptions of shelter and rescue animals.

When: 6:30pm, on Monday Feb.1st

Where: 647 N. San Vicente in West Hollywood, CA, 90069

CAPS investigated Elite Animals and discovered that the store was selling puppy mill dogs and defrauding customers. CAPS obtained undercover footage of employees of the store telling CAPS investigators that their dogs were from “good, private breeders.” Elite Animals was also selling dogs from commercial breeding operations in Russia, outside the jurisdiction of the Animal Welfare Act. The W. Hollywood pet store was in violation of a federal law prohibiting the import of dogs under the age of six months for resale (Farm Bill of 2008).

CAPS investigators also obtained graphic footage of abused dogs from Elite Animals’ suppliers, Gerry and Angie Wensmann, who operate a substandard breeding facility in Minnesota. The puppy mill supplying Elite Animals in WEHO and other retailers around the nation has multiple violations reported by inspectors for the USDA. The dogs are exposed to the elements, caged in harsh and filthy conditions, are injured, sick, and show signs of severe psychological distress.

CAPS assisted the Animal Legal Defense Fund and the City of West Hollywood in drafting the ordinance as well as providing evidence.

“West Hollywood’s City Council has shown great leadership, wise judgment and compassion by considering an ordinance banning the sale of cats and dogs in our city’s pet stores. During this historic recession afflicting our state, we must relieve our overburdened shelters by promoting adoption as the only ethical choice when bringing a companion animal into our hearts and homes. This ordinance, if it passes, will save countless shelter animals’ lives locally and will send a strong message to abusive commercial breeders all over the nation.” ---Carole Davis, W. Coast Director, CAPS

“This could be the beginning of the end of puppy mills and it’s happening in W. Hollywood, one of the most progressive cities on animal welfare issues.” ---Ed Buck, Social Compassion in Legislation Director and West Hollywood resident


Media Contacts: Carole Raphaelle Davis, West Coast Director of CAPS,
310-990- 5758 hollywoodjinky@gmail.com
Deborah Howard, President, Founder of CAPS: 781-210-0938, caps@caps-web.org
About CAPS : Founded by President Deborah Howard in 1992, Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS) is the only national nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to protecting companion animals from cruelty in pet shops and puppy mills. CAPS actively addresses the abuse and suffering of pet shop and puppy mill dogs through investigations, education, media relations, legislative involvement, puppy mill dog rescues, consumer assistance and pet industry employee relations.
CAPS undercover investigation of West Hollywood Pet Store: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flDK74ZkURk

CAPS protest at Elite Protest of Elite Animals in West Hollywood:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BpleOas2go

KTLA news story on West Hollywood anti puppy mill protest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVzYK0jglGw

West Hollywood children protesting puppy mills:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IuyzCWHfo4

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