Animal advocate urges Riverview to ban retail sales of dogs and cats

Alena Tyler, an animal‑welfare advocate who said she works at a nonprofit spay‑and‑neuter clinic, urged the Riverview City Council to adopt an ordinance that would prohibit retail pet stores from selling dogs and cats.

"It will help end the puppy‑mill pipeline," Tyler said, arguing the change would reduce shelter intake, protect consumers from chronic hereditary health problems and veterinary bills, and reflect community values of responsible pet ownership.

Randy, who said his office reviewed model ordinances, told the council staff examined a comparable ordinance in Wood Haven and adapted it for Riverview. He said the draft is ready to be placed on the council agenda for a first reading next Monday and that the ordinance will require two readings before final adoption.

The proposed code change would add a section to the city’s animal chapter prohibiting retail sales of cats and dogs while permitting in‑store adoption from shelters, Tyler said. She emphasized the ban is intended to prevent large commercial breeders that prioritize profit over animal welfare, not to restrict responsible breeders who allow buyers to visit breeding facilities.

Council members expressed general support and agreed by consensus to place the item on the agenda for first reading; no formal vote on final adoption occurred at the meeting.

If the ordinance proceeds, it will return to council for the required second reading before any prohibition becomes law.