Urge Boston to ban the sales of Puppies and Kittens from Mills

To Mayor Thomas Menino and Council Members:

Most cats and dogs sold in pet stores are raised in cruel, inhumane mills across the United States. Despite recent legislation in many states promoting animal welfare, most of these cats and dogs spend their entire life, several years, in small cramped cages breeding, never able to run and play in the grass.  It is hard to imagine how so many people can be so cruel just to make a few extra dollars. 

It is estimated that between 2 to 4 million dogs are bred in U.S. Puppy Mills, which is not counting cats. Since pet stores look to buy the cheapest possible puppies and kittens so breeders try to cut their cost down to almost nothing to maximize profits.  Not only are these mills inhumane but they overpopulate the pet population making spay and neuter programs much less effective.

In 2006, Albuquerque New Mexico has taken the lead and banned the sale of dogs and cats in pet stores.  As a result adoptions from Albuquerque's animal shelters have increased 23% and euthanasia has dropped 35%.  The success of the Albuquerque ordinance has led Austin and El Paso Texas to pass similar bans.  El Paso, for example, has banned the for profit sale of dogs under 1 year old.  Right now the
city of Los Angeles is considering legislation that will ban the retail sale of puppy mill cats, dogs, and rabbits.  Stores will still be able to sell pets as long as they are adopted from shelters.

The City of Los Angeles took in more than 54,000 Cats and dogs in animal shelters in 2008, and more than 500,00 over the last 10 years costing the city millions of dollars. The Massachusetts Congressional Delegation has been nearly perfect on animal welfare legislation at the National level.  Puppy and Kitten Mills are cruel, inhumane, and need to stop.  Pet stores such as Petco and Pet Smart have been very profitable and successful without selling cats and dogs.  We are asking the Boston City Council to follow the footsteps of Albuquerque, El Paso, Austin plus many smaller cities such as Hermosa Beach and ban the sale of puppies and kittens that come from these mills.

By supporting and passing this ban the council members will have no idea how much suffering they have prevented and will reduce the homeless population of dogs and cats that so many people in Boston love so much.  By passing the ban all animal supporters throughout the country will look proudly of the city of Boston and of course will become Red Sox fans.

Thank You very much for your consideration and we hope you will support us