WASHINGTON — It was unanimous: Montgomery County’s council has passed a bill that will restrict the sale of puppies and kittens to those that come from shelters or rescue groups.
The idea, says council member George Leventhal, was to prevent the sale of “puppy mill” puppies in the county. The term “puppy mill” is how welfare advocates describe mass breeding facilities around the country that ship or sell to retail outlets.
Leventhal says he’s proud of the legislation and heard from “thousands” of constituents on the issue.
“Bringing home a puppy or kitten that was obtained from a puppy mill increases the risk that the family pet will also bring endless health and behavioral problems. By approving this bill, we are trying to protect people who get their pets from Montgomery County pet stores and may not have considered where their pet came from,” Leventhal said in a news release.
Currently the county doesn’t have any retail outlets that sell puppies or kittens. There are large pet supply stores that host animal rescue groups and adoption events. Leventhal says the county did have puppy and kitten retailers in the past, and the new legislation will prevent the future sale of puppy mill puppies in the county.
A Rockville store, “Just Puppies” could be targeted by legislation similar to the county’s: Rockville City Council member Julie Palakovich Carr has indicated she’d be interested in backing a measure like the one the county council has passed.
WTOP’s Kate Ryan contributed to this report.
