Lexington’s potential ban on dog, cat sales is about humane treatment, not hurting business | Opinion
I am writing, as an animal advocate, to speak to the humane pet sales ordinance, which cleared its first hurdle in the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council. The purpose of the ordinance is a ban on pet stores and flea markets selling puppies and kittens. It has everything to do with bettering the lives of pets and pet owners and nothing to do with stomping on local businesses. I, along with our local partners at the Humane Society of the United States, are in favor of responsible purchasing of pets from a reputable shelter, rescue, or ethical breeder, instead of pet stores. We are fortunate here in Lexington to have informed, compassionate council members who are responsive to the needs of our community.
As a trusted professional in the Lexington community and active animal advocate for many years, I can a provide a honest testimonial on this topic with no personal agenda other than to improve conditions for animals in our state. We are currently facing a pet overpopulation crisis. The causes are numerous, from economic struggles leading families to surrender their pets, to housing restrictions, irresponsible breeding, and access to affordable spay/neuter services. Many veteran rescuers will tell you that the years following the COVID-19 pandemic have been the worst years in animal rescue they’ve ever experienced. Shelters are overflowing and rescues are full, thus unable to take in more animals.
This results in people abandoning their pets at a very high rate. When stray or surrendered pets are brought into already full shelters, sadly, shelter workers are often forced to euthanize animals for kennel space because in most cases, they cannot turn those new animals down due to required stray holds (this is primarily the case with municipal shelters). It is not only friendly adult and senior dogs at risk of euthanasia, but puppies as well. The concept of “no kill” shelters has almost become a thing of the past, yet people continue to breed animals faster than rescuers can save them, seemingly for selfish reasons.
As a rescue co-Founder, I have seen firsthand how desperate this state is for ordinances like this one. Allowing pet stores to sell puppies and kittens that they are obtaining from inhumane, commercial breeding facilities while not properly vetting them or following appropriate adoption protocol is simply adding money into the deep pockets of corporate leadership while purchased pets and consumers suffer the consequences. As long as greedy breeding practices are allowed and supported by demand, the constant overflow of animals will continue. We’ve personally heard several testimonies of how these pet stores adopt out sickly dogs and cats, sometimes even resulting in the animals dying of illness shortly after adoption. These pets have cost Kentucky residents astronomical amounts of money at the initial purchase, thereafter in medical bills, and ultimately, the emotional toll of dealing with these traumatic experiences.
There are at least five volunteer-based animal rescues in the Lexington-area alone that are completely full of dogs and/or cats yet still making every effort possible to combat the current animal welfare crisis by promoting spay and neuter efforts and ethical breeding only.
We ask now for the public to step up and help us make progress in Lexington. Let’s join Louisville, Elizabethtown, Radcliff, and over 480 localities nationwide in enacting the humane pet sales ordinance—a public policy that will truly reflect our community’s values.
Ciara Hagedorn is a realtor and co-founder of Saved By Fate Dog Rescue.
