The Madison Common Council on Nov. 25 adopted an ordinance (Legistar 90,423) that prohibits the retail sale of dogs and cats in pet stores within city limits.

Supporters told the council they were seeking to stop a pipeline in which puppies are sourced from large commercial breeders and brokers with documented welfare violations. "There are plenty of rescue opportunities for people in our community," said Lauren Brinkman, founder and director of Underdog Pet Rescue and Vet Services, who urged the council to pass the ban. Megan Nicholson, Wisconsin state director for Humane World for Animals, described investigative reporting and inspection records that, she said, show puppy-selling stores can rely on suppliers with a history of poor conditions. "This is preventative," Nicholson said, arguing the ordinance would block large national chains that sell puppies from opening in Madison.

Rescue and advocacy groups including Bailing Out Benjie, represented by Kristen Schubert, and local adopters described animal-welfare harms and higher veterinary and behavioral costs for families when animals are sourced from commercial operations.

Opponents said the ordinance would not reach the unregulated breeders who skirt the law and would remove traceable, regulated options for families. "This ordinance does nothing to reach them," said Dr. Jim Metz, a veterinarian and longtime pet-store operator, who suggested stronger sourcing standards and enforcement of existing state law as alternatives. Ruth Metz, who with her husband has operated Animart stores for decades, urged the council to consider the value of regulated, traceable sourcing and warned that removing lawful retail options could push buyers to unregulated sellers.

Council members debated enforcement, the experience of other cities and the scope of the ordinance. Several alders said the proposal is preventative: Madison currently has no pet stores selling puppies but could see national chains open. Ald. Evers, sponsor of the ordinance, described instances in other communities where local ordinances prevented a Petland outlet from opening.

Ald. Duncan offered an alternate to expand the ban to rabbits and guinea pigs; the council voted on that alternate and it failed. Council then voted on the ordinance focused on dogs and cats; the clerk recorded Alders Harrington McKinney and Knox as voting no and the ordinance passed.

The ordinance as adopted will prohibit retail pet stores from offering dogs and cats for sale in Madison; the adopted text and timetable for implementation were not altered in the recorded remarks. The council did not include a council-level roadmap in the minutes for transition or enforcement; questions about grandfathering of existing sellers of other small mammals (such as guinea pigs at major national retailers) were discussed but not resolved during the meeting.

The council adjourned after brief announcements and holiday greetings.