Glendale, California Passes Ban on Dog and Cat Sales

8/16/11 10:22 PM

For Immediate Release

WHO:  CAPS, The Companion Animal Protection Society (www.CAPS-web.org)

West Coast Director, Carole Davis 310-990-5758

WHAT: Glendale, California City Council passes ban on sale of dogs and cats in pet stores.

The City Council of Glendale, California, has unanimously passed a ban on the sale of cats and dogs in pet stores. In June, 2011, CAPS filed an investigation report with Glendale’s City Attorney Scott Howard.  The report included evidence of violations that were occurring in Glendale’s Pets R Us, which  obtains its puppies from The Hunte Corporation in Goodman, MO..  CAPS conducted an undercover investigation at Hunte, the largest dog brokering facility in the country. CAPS investigated over 50 puppy mills, mostly USDA licensed, that were selling puppies to Hunte.  Approximately 50 percent of these mills had serious enough violations to warrant an investigation report to the USDA.  The CAPS investigation of The Hunte Corporation revealed  inhumane and substandard breeding facilities with multiple and repeat violations of the Animal Welfare Act.  The dogs (and in some instances, cats) are not given even the USDA minimum standards of care. Some of the Hunte breeders have had their licenses cancelled.  In the CAPS undercover footage provided to the city of Glendale, a Hunte commercial breeder was videotaped talking about shooting his dogs when they are no longer of use to him.  

“The information provided to our office by CAPS representatives was fact based  and assisted us with the preparation of a report and ordinance. Their efforts to address the problems associated with substandard breeding facilities is to be applauded and their assistance to our office is  greatly appreciated.” --Scott H. Howard, City Attorney

“We congratulate the Glendale City Council and especially City Attorney Scott Howard, for their progressive leadership,” said CAPS West Coast Director, Carole Davis. “This ordinance will break the puppy mill cycle by cancelling long-standing contracts with brokers and commercial breeders that are routinely violating the Animal Welfare Act. Consequently, local companion animals in the shelter system will benefit. People don’t want a pet born in an inhumane breeding factory and this ordinance saves lives and protects consumers on a local level.”

Media Contact: Carole Davis, West Coast Director, CAPS tel: 310-990-5758

Founded by President Deborah Howard in 1992, the Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS) is the only national nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to protecting companion animals from cruelty in pet shops, puppy mills and pet factories.