Committee advances ordinance to bar retail sale of dogs and cats in Detroit pet stores

A Detroit City Council committee on Monday advanced a proposed amendment to Chapter 6 of the 2019 City Code that would prohibit the retail sale of dogs and cats at pet stores, sending the measure to formal session with a recommendation to approve.

The proposal, introduced as part of a public hearing called by Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero, would add language to the city’s animal care and control rules to bar pet shops from selling dogs and cats while allowing stores to host adoption events and provide space for animals housed by shelters or rescues.

Supporters said the ordinance would block a “puppy‑mill pipeline” into Detroit, protect consumers and local shelters, and stop sale of animals that may carry disease or veterinary costs for buyers. “This ordinance prevents weeks‑old puppies from being trucked in from Midwest puppy mills,” said Bridal Lefkowitz, identified in the hearing as a puppy‑mill policy specialist with the Humane Society of the United States. “It protects consumers from deceptive sales tactics, being sold sick puppies, or falling prey to financing interest rates that are higher than disclosed.”

Speakers representing rescues, rescue‑based volunteers and Michigan Humane described recurring intake of abused or sick animals and urged the council to maintain the status quo — Detroit currently has no pet stores that sell dogs or cats, advocates said — and to promote adoption and local shelters. “This is about prioritizing the well‑being of animals and ensuring a humane future for our city,” said Anne Griffin, director of advocacy for Michigan Humane.

Opponents argued the ordinance would not address illegal backyard breeders or the root causes of animal overpopulation, and said enforcement capacity and unintended effects on small businesses needed review. “This bill will do nothing to address the current and very real issue of illegal backyard breeding here in Detroit,” said Alyssa Miller Hurley of the Pet Advocacy Network.

Committee members and city staff discussed enforcement and next steps. Graham Anderson of the Law Department read the ordinance language on the record, highlighting a clause permitting pet stores to maintain space for adoptable animals from shelters and rescues. Carmel Knox, deputy director of the General Services Department, said the city would investigate reports of puppy sales at retail locations and that the Animal Care and Control division already has investigators who could respond to complaints.

After public testimony and a brief question period for staff, the committee, hearing “no objections,” voted to send the proposed ordinance to new business with a recommendation to approve.

The measure will appear on a formal agenda for further consideration and a council vote.