Humane organization urges commission to adopt ordinance banning sales of dogs and cats at local pet store

Mitchell Nelson, Michigan state director for Humane World for Animals, told the Kentwood City Commission on Sept. 16 he is urging the city to introduce and adopt a "humane pet store" ordinance that would prohibit the sale of dogs, cats and other companion animals at city pet stores.

Nelson said Humane World for Animals has helped pass such ordinances in more than a dozen Michigan municipalities, including Detroit and Ann Arbor, and that the objective is to cut consumer demand that sustains so-called "puppy mill" supply chains. He said a pet store operating within Kentwood is selling dogs and that the organization has evidence the animals come from large-scale breeding operations with health and welfare problems; he offered to provide supporting materials to the commission and staff after the meeting.

Nelson characterized the proposal as both cruelty prevention and consumer protection, saying families that purchase animals from such stores sometimes encounter severe health problems for the animals that result in large veterinary bills. He said reputable breeders typically do not sell through pet stores and that shelters in the region have animals available for adoption. Nelson said his organization had emailed draft ordinance language to city commissioners earlier the same day.

No formal action or staff report was taken on the suggestion; the item was delivered during the meeting’s public-comment period and the speaker said he would follow up with individual commissioners.