Retail pet sales bans/ restrictions limit consumer protections and choice, while doing nothing to actually help dogs. A better solution is to consider broad consumer protection and cruelty laws that hold all accountable who sell or transport dogs, while allowing owners to choose the best pet for their family and lifestyle.
The AKC advocates for responsible dog ownership and supports strong enforcement of local and state animal cruelty laws as well as the federal Animal Welfare Act, which provides consistent minimum standards of care, regulatory oversight and inspections of pet breeders, dealers, and other animal handlers.
The AKC-affiliated clubs operate America’s largest purebred rescue network, and for over 130 years AKC has been proud to be the only non-profit purebred registry devoted to the health and well-being and of all dogs. Our strong commitment to responsible dog ownership and the well-being of all dogs, and our expertise with both rescue and purpose-bred dogs compels us to weigh in on misinformation and arbitrary proposals to ban the sale of purpose-bred pets.
Truly advancing responsible dog ownership and protecting pets from negligence or cruelty is a complex and nuanced issue that cannot be solved or ameliorated with the passage of an arbitrary law banning purpose-bred pet sales.
Harmful and unintended consequences of pet sales bans include:
- Restrictions on consumer protection – These bills remove existing consumer protections currently available to breeder and pet store customers. Shelters and rescues are not required to meet the same standards and cannot provide the same guarantees and recourses. Rather than getting a dog of a specific breed from a professional breeder subject to federal and state animal welfare laws, customers are getting a dog with unknown background, temperament and health history. Also, there are rescues and transports that unfortunately do not care as diligently for the animals. This is a significant concern that can impact both the public health and the health of animals.
- Restrictions on consumer choice – These bills limit the ability of residents to select pets in a responsible manner, based on the breed, health and temperament traits that they seek and make a good match for their lifestyle. Local residents may be wanting a quality purpose-bred pet and may not have access to a local breeder, do not want to be put on a long waiting list, etc. Instead, they may wish to purchase a dog from a regulated, licensed pet store where they can still get the consumer protections, the health history, and ongoing professional relationships they desire.
- No impact on cruelty or negligence issues – These proposals assume that all dogs sold at pet stores have been raised in poor conditions, which is simply not accurate. Instead, they remove one of the most regulated and vetted sources of pets from the market to favor unregulated pet distributors and randomly-sourced pets that lack oversight, and actually exacerbate issues associated with irresponsible actors in the retail and retail rescue pet industry. In addition, it is important to note that while these proposals are touted as a way to put an end to “puppy mills”, fewer than 4 percent of pets purchased in the US come from pet shops.
AKC Position Statements
Issue Analyses
Bans On Retail Pet Sales Fail To Protect Pets, Undermine Responsible Pet Choice
Talking Points
Retail Bans Undermine Consumer Choice
Consumer Protection Laws Protect the Public and Animals
Blogs
AKC: Responsible choice, consumer protection laws protect pets better than pet store sales bans
Pet store ban would harm dog owners
USDA APHIS Releases Q&A Guidance Document on Retail Pet Store Rule and Dog Importation