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Advocate urges Newark to ban retail sale of dogs and cats in pet stores, cites unlicensed local seller
Summary
A representative from Humane World for Animals urged the council to consider a local ordinance banning retail sales of dogs and cats in pet shops, arguing the city’s currently operating puppy-selling store lacks a license and sources from out-of-state breeders.
Bridal Lefkowitz, a public policy specialist with Humane World for Animals (formerly Humane Society of the United States), urged the Newark Municipal Council during the Oct. 7 public comment period to consider a humane pet-shop ordinance that would ban retail sales of dogs and cats in pet stores.
Lefkowitz said about 150 New Jersey municipalities and more than 500 U.S. cities have adopted similar ordinances. She asserted the city’s single puppy-selling pet store is operating without a license and is sourcing from out-of-state puppy mills. "There are also city officials that have admitted that the city does not have the ability to regulate this store," Lefkowitz said, and she urged the council to act to prevent additional stores from opening.
Lefkowitz said ordinances of this type allow pet stores to transition to other revenue streams — such as food, boarding, grooming and supplies — while continuing to enable residents to adopt from shelters or work with responsible breeders. She offered the organization’s drafting language as a resource to fit into Newark’s municipal code.
Council members did not respond with action at the Oct. 7 meeting; Lefkowitz offered to follow up with staff if the council decides to pursue drafting language.
