Richmond Hill votes to regulate 'heart-wrenching' puppy mill sales
One dissenting councillor says ban ineffectual

yorkregion.com
June 28, 2017
By Kim Zarzour

Richmond Hill pet stores will no longer be able to sell dogs, cats and rabbits from commercial breeders.

A majority of councillors voted Monday night to require local pet stores to provide only those animals that come from registered municipal animal shelters and rescues, giving the three remaining Richmond Hill stores that still sell animals one year to transition their businesses.

The move aims to reduce demand for animals raised in unethical or unhealthy puppy mills and backyard breeders, and ensures pet stores work with shelters to reduce the number of homeless pets.

In contrast to a council committee meeting last week that heard from delegations residing primarily outside of Richmond Hill, Monday’s meeting heard from six people, all residents of the municipality.

Nicole Seiber, a professional dog trainer and small business owner, said she was an owner of a puppy mill-bred dog who had multiple health issues. What she has learned, since owning that dog, about local pet stores who sell puppy mill dogs and cats has been “eye-opening, heart-wrenching and completely horrifying”, she said.

Tammy Osher, with Richmond Hill-based Just Paws animal rescue, said her organization ensures their pets are a good fit with adopters and rigorously screens applicants with home visits.

The only delegate speaking against the motion was Dean Harris, who said he is the owner of a pet purchased from a local pet store.

Harris questioned why another bylaw was required, when animal cruelty laws already exist in Ontario. He characterized the decision as bullying by animal activists and warned that the decision would harm local pet stores.

“Surely you aren’t attempting to bankrupt these people or businesses enterprises?” he asked.

Carmen Lau, an animal rescue volunteer, said she understands pet stores’ fear of losing business, but today’s consumers are more educated and expect businesses to uphold ethical practices.

Several local pet stores have shown that it’s possible to run viable businesses by focusing on sales of pet accessories, food, grooming and training services, she said.

Adriana Pisano Beaumont, a resident of Richmond Hill and part of a volunteer citizen group working on the issue of imported rescues and a scholar in anthrozoology, said provincial legislation on animal cruelty is helpful, but municipalities play an important role, too, by passing bylaws such as those policing animal tethering and pet store sales.

Ward 2 Councillor Tom Muench was the only member of council to vote against the bylaw restricting pet store sales.

“I lost four molars because when I kiss my cat I scrunch my teeth and cracked my teeth - [costing] thousands of dollars. I love animals as many of you do, but I’m unbiased.

“It’s real easy to say yes to this [motion],” he said, “but we want to get rid of puppy mills, we can do so much better than this.”

Banning or restricting sales won’t change the puppy mill industry, he said, and could hurt people in Richmond Hill, adding he questions how the town will “verify suppliers outside of Ontario”.

Ward 4 Councillor David West admitted it is a complicated issue.

“Regardless of what happens with us and other municipalities, the problem [of puppy mills] is still going to exist and that makes me very uncomfortable...but it is a step in right direction and we are doing what we can.”

Town staff will present details on the new implementation bylaw for council’s approval by October, 2016.