Oregonians demand to know what happened to HB2804/Ban of Puppies, Kittens and Rabbits in Oregon Pet Stores

HB 2804 would have banned the sale of puppies, kittens and rabbits in pet stores. Unfortunately, this bill died in the House Business and Labor Committee on Monday evening April 8th, 2019. For reasons we still don't fully know, the work session was opened for a committee vote and then abruptly closed by the chair after Republicans asked for a recess to discuss the bill in private. We knew the vote was going to be close, and so it's impossible to speculate just exactly what happened. While disappointed, it leaves question for the many Oregonians who signed the last petition and supported this Bill. We will learn what we can from this situation, and move forward, but we need answers. Once again we will keep on until all Oregon pet stores adopt a humane model, one that does not sell puppies, kittens and seasonal rabbits in their stores. A huge appreciation to the two legislative champions who fought to save the bill right up to the end: Representatives David Gomberg (D-Lincoln City) & David Brock Smith (R-Port Orford)


This petition is for the members of the House Business and Labor Committee, that voted this bill down in Oregon. We, the residents of Oregon and your constituents want to know why and how we can move forward next session.

Please sign so we can inform the committee that we will be persueing again next session and every session till this bill is passed.

*Prevent Puppies and Kittens from Being Sold in Pet Stores Why?

Comercial and backyard facilities often have unsanitary conditions and cruel treatment of animals. But current law does not prevent pet stores from offering puppy and kitten mill pets or backyard breeding, and seven pet stores statewide still offer them.
To further our state's market preference for humane pet sources like shelters, rescues, and responsible breeders, we must cut off the puppy mill supply and demand chain.
Benefits? The proposed legislation would have promoted animal welfare, adoption, and responsible breeding.
HB 2804 would have ensure the pet stores can no longer sell puppies and kittens that were born into conditions Oregonians would find appalling and that are predisposed to be sick and have behavioral issues.
Cutting off puppy and kitten mill sales will also lessen the burden on nonprofits and animal services/control.
Reputable breeders will be unaffected and will continue to provide Oregonians with healthy, socialized pets because responsible breeders do not sell to pet stores.
Background? Oregon law currently does not regulate where pet stores source puppies and kittens, and federally licensed breeders face lax U.S. Department of Agriculture regulation. State legislation would encourage pet stores to partner with shelters and rescues to host adoption events.


Three states (California, Maryland and New Jersey) and nearly 300 cities, towns, and counties have adopted similar laws. Oregon consumers want to be the next market example for other states to follow.
An HSUS review of the nearly 300 national breed clubs affiliated with the American Kennel Club (AKC) revealed that over 95 percent state in their ethics codes that breeders should not and/or do not sell to pet stores. Responsible breeders take pride in raising puppies and kittens in a home environment most similar to that of their future homes, without cages and containment and with around the clock care.
Responsible breeders, in contrast to puppy mills, do not need pet stores to serve as a conduit between them and the public. Most breed clubs consider it a violation of their code of ethics to transport young puppies hundreds of miles to a pet store, only to be sold to anyone with a credit card.
What's more, the AKC itself states that it is important for the public to visit a breeder's home, see at least one of the puppy's parents, make sure the premise is clean and that the dogs are healthy, and ensure the dogs and breeder interact appropriately. None of that is possible if a puppy is sold in a pet store.

*Dormant Commerce Clause would not of been in violation with HB 2804
Federal courts agree that state laws that prohibit pet store sales of commercially raised dogs and cats do not violate the Dormant Commerce Clause, which protects interstate commerce. These state laws have been challenged and upheld in Arizona, Florida, Rhode Island, New York and Illinois, where courts have opined that the laws are facially neutral and that they do not treat in-state and out-of-state entities differently.
These court decisions have asserted that puppy mill prohibitions only have a minimal impact on interstate commerce, with strong local benefits that justify the minimal impact.


HB 2804 would have prevent public health risks.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 118 people across 18 states were infected with an antibiotic-resistant strain of Campylobacter in 2017.
The CDC linked this outbreak to contact with pet store puppies, and reported that 26 of those infected had to be hospitalized.
The CDC reported that 95 percent of pet store puppies studied received one or more antibiotic courses before arriving or while at the store, and that just one percent of puppies that received antibiotics were given them just for infection treatment, while the rest were given them preventatively.
The CDC concluded that the pet store industry recklessly uses antibiotics to treat and prevent illness, which increases the risk of multidrug-resistant Campylobacter transmission to pet store employees and consumers.
Rescues, shelters, and responsible breeders have never faced a comparable outbreak.


HB 2804 would prohibit pet stores from sourcing from puppy mills who have no regard for the health and well-being of their breeding dogs and their offspring, nor the public who may end up with unhealthy pets.
However, pet stores would be allowed to host adoption events for shelters and rescues that are 501(c)(3) nonprofits, licensed by the state, and do not obtain animals from breeders or brokers for compensation. In this instance, a pet store would allow a shelter or rescue to use space to offer pets for adoptions.
The pet stores can still directly benefit monetarily, by these events offering the consumers all the food, supplies, and services for their newly adopted pet.


HB 2804 would have close an important loophole in Oregon's puppy mill law. Several years ago, Oregon enacted a law to regulate commercial breeders with the goal of putting an end to puppy mill cruelty within the state. We applaud Oregon lawmakers for addressing the production side of the puppy mill problem, but the sales side continues to be an issue. Under current law, there is nothing stopping pet stores from selling puppy mill puppies to Oregonians. Records show that at least one Oregon pet store sources puppies from a large puppy mill broker in Missouri. Other puppy-selling pet stores in the state claim to source from local breeders, but refuse to provide breeder information to the public for verification. And, even if the breeders are local, that doesn't mean they are humane. Local, humane breeders would have no reason to sell through pet stores rather than directly to the public.
*The ban on the sell of Rabbits in pet stores.


The sell of rabbits in pet stores is usually seasonal and most employees have very little knowledge of the care and handling of this type of pet. Sells go up during Easter, by Christmas the new owners are ready to get rid of them due to ;ack of understanding the difference between their care verses that of dogs or cats. Most are set free or languish in their cages.
Those who truly desire a rabbit could still go to a adoption event at a pet store where the rescuers are knowledgeable and can make sure the consumer understands the needs of rabbits.
Also rescue rabbits are often spayed and neutered, which a lot of consumers are not aware can be done.
They also would still be able to purchase at feed store and farm supply, where employees also have much more knowledge of their care.
All this gives the family and their new rabbit a much better start, they make wonderful pets but have very different needs in handling, socializing and day to day care.

Facts supplied by Oregon HSUS and PAAA

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