Ban the Sale of Puppies, Kittens and Rabbits in Pet Stores in Hayward, CA

A puppy mill, is a commercial dog breeding facility that is operated with an emphasis upon profits above animal welfare and is often in substandard conditions regarding the well-being of dogs in their care The term can be applied to operations involving other types of animals commercially bred for profit, e.g. "kitty mills." An estimated 4,000 puppy mills in the U.S. produce more than half a million puppies a year.

Most puppies sold through pet stores, a broker, and over the internet originally came from a puppy mill. These profitable breeding facilities take away almost every necessity for a dog including living space, plentiful food and water, toys and a loving caretaker, all to get as much profit from the dogs as possible. Dogs live on wire floors, designed to let their excretions fall through, but many dogs fall into the holes and get legs and paws stuck. Most puppy mills will use a dog until it has reached its fertility max, and then the dogs are killed or passed on to other puppy mills.

These conditions cause the puppies to have both behavioral and physical issues. Dogs from puppy mills have been reportedly diagnosed with tons of diseases and ailments like respiratory infections and pneumonia, as well as hereditary defects. They may also have trouble interacting with people and other animals.

Responsible breeders do not sell their dogs through pet stores. It is my intention to help to put an end to commercial breeding facilities by suggesting that bylaws be passed to ban the sale of puppies, kittens and rabbits in pet stores in Hayward (excluding adoption from legitimate adoption facilities).

Many communities around the United States such as Glendale, CA, West Hollywood, CA and South Lake Tahoe, CA have already passed laws banning the sale of puppies in pet stores. This is just a partial list, and more and more communities around the United States, are moving toward banning sales of animals in pet stores that support puppy mills.