Approximately 10 million homeless cats and dogs are euthanized in shelters throughout the United States each year. Despite all of the spay/neuter education by Animal Welfare Organizations and laws requiring spay/neuter, these numbers increase annually. Due to budgetary constraints of enforcement agencies and the magnitude of the problem, numbers of enforcement personnel are inadequate to insure compliance.
Some of the major outlets for pets from irresponsible homes, backyard breeders and, sometimes, puppy mill dogs smuggled in from Mexico, are private commercial properties where businesses do not stop the giving away or selling of pets on their premises. This can be seen, to some degree, in every locale across the United States and enforcement agencies have significant legal problems with enforcement on private property without the full cooperation of these private property owners.
Enforcement of these laws takes a community effort and commercial enterprises are dependent upon, and owe a responsibility to, the communities they serve to do their part in controlling these activities.
These signatures will initially be directed toward commercial enterprises within the City of Riverside, California. However, these results will also be made available, upon request, to any Animal Welfare Organizations, Rescue Organizations or private citizens anywhere in the continental United States for use in similiar campaigns in their locales.
We, the undersigned, who frequent your establishments and support your businesses, feel that you have an obligation to your community to assist in addressing and alleviating problems when you are able.
As the allowing of the "give-away" and sale of pets on private commercial property encourages irresponsible pet ownership and backyard breeding for profit and has become a major stumbling block in the fight to decrease the numbers of unwanted pets euthanized in animal shelters across the United States, we are requesting that you disallow this activity on your premises through the following:
1. Consistent removal of these persons by either business personnel or security;
2. Posting of "No Trespassing" or other legal signage prohibiting these activities; and
3. Consistent pressure on enforcement agencies i.e. Animal Control, Police and Sheriff Departments, Code Enforcement, etc.
We, the undersigned, sincerely appreciate your attention to this matter and thank you in advance for your assistance.
