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Council supports drafting ordinance to bar retail sale of dogs, cats (and rabbits) from pet stores
Summary
An animal‑welfare group asked Doraville to adopt a humane pet‑shop ordinance banning retail sales of dogs, cats and recommended rabbits to cut the ‘puppy‑mill to pet‑shop’ pipeline; council members signaled support for drafting a local ordinance and asked staff to schedule it for a future agenda.
A representative from national animal‑welfare group Humane World for Animals told the Doraville City Council on Nov. 12 that a local ordinance to prohibit retail sale of dogs, cats and (recommended) rabbits would reduce demand for animals produced in commercial breeding facilities commonly called puppy mills.
Ariel Lefkovitz briefed council members on a model ordinance that has been adopted in multiple U.S. jurisdictions and in parts of Georgia. Lefkovitz said the goal is narrow: to prevent in‑store retail sales that serve as a major outlet for commercial breeders with histories of poor animal care. The proposed local policy would still allow adoption events, rescues and responsible breeders who sell directly to consumers to operate.
Lefkovitz described harms documented at some licensed breeders, including insufficient veterinary care and poor housing conditions; she also said consumers sometimes face misleading sales practices and high veterinary bills after buying sick animals from stores that source from large commercial breeders.
Several council members asked procedural questions and indicated support for moving forward. Mayor Joseph Garman and Council Member Simmons asked staff to draft an ordinance mirroring the state‑of‑the‑art models, including a draft that specifies permitted exceptions (adoption events hosted by rescues, humane societies and direct breeder‑to‑consumer sales from verified responsible breeders).
Why it matters: Cities use local ordinances to limit commercial markets that sustain in‑humane breeding operations. Doraville’s staff will draft language that follows models used elsewhere; the ordinance would be subject to public hearing and vote before it takes effect.
Next steps: Staff and the city attorney will work with proponents to prepare a draft ordinance for council consideration; the draft will identify permitted activities (adoptions, direct verified breeder sales) and define enforcement and penalties.
