Humane Society and local advocates announce adoption program at Gibraltar Trade Center

Representatives from the Humane Society of the United States and local advocacy groups told the commission Gibraltar Trade Center has stopped retail sales of cats and dogs, signed the HSUS puppy‑friendly pet‑store pledge, and will begin hosting adoption events in its space.

Sharon Deming, who identified herself as a district leader with the Humane Society of the United States, said Gibraltar Trade Center "will now only be adoptable cats and dogs from the Macomb County Bridal Shelter" and announced a ribbon‑cutting ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 29, inviting the mayor and commissioners. Deming reported that Macomb County Animal Control brought five dogs to a recent adoption event and four were adopted.

Pam Sordell, founder of Puppy Mill Awareness of Southeast Michigan, updated the commission on advocacy work and legal actions: she said the store that formerly sold puppies at the trade center did not renew its lease in March and continues to sell by appointment elsewhere; Sordell said her group’s attorney is pursuing a lawsuit alleging the sale of sick animals and that the suit currently includes 31 plaintiffs. Danielle Turpkoff and others in the audience voiced support for the adoption efforts and thanked advocates for their persistence.

The commission thanked the advocates for their work and several commissioners praised the persistence of local activists in generating change without immediate legislative action.

What’s next: Advocates asked commissioners to attend the Aug. 29 ribbon cutting; staff will take note of the proposed ordinance changes related to retail pet sales that advocates previously provided for review.