CC_Minutes_2016_0919 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular City Council Meeting Monday, September 19, 2016 Page 4 b.Pet Store Regulation and Licensing Discussion As detailed in the RCA, City Manager Trudgeon referenced a recent newspaper article regarding the condition of animals being sold at the Har Mar Pet Store (At- tachment A), and considerable community discussion and concern following the article. Mr. Trudgeon advised the intent of tonight’s discussion was to provide di- rection to staff as the City Council considered potential regulation or licensing of pet stores, not currently done. Mr. Trudgeon noted there were currently four pet stores located in Roseville: PetSmart, PETCO, Chuck and Don’s, and Har Mar Pet Store, all having been no- tified of tonight’s discussion. As noted in the RCA, City Manager Trudgeon, in researching other communities, advised that the City of St. Paul was found to li- cense pet stores and provided some level of inspection, but he had not spoken per- sonally their staff as to the logistics of their efforts. Mr. Trudgeon introduced, and Mayor Roe welcomed representatives of the Min- nesota Chapter of the Human Society of America (HSA), having previously met with City Manager Trudgeon to provide information about the operation of pet stores and sharing their thoughts on a possible pet store ordinance for Roseville, including a sample ordinance recently adopted by Eastpointe, Michigan (Attach- ment B). Christine Coughlin, Minnesota Chapter HSA Ms. Coughlin noted this had come to their attention, as it had the city’s, specifi- cally after the article and resulting community discontent. Ms. Coughlin encour- aged the City Council to consider a systemic and long-term solution rather than a band aid solution as it considered the issue and possible ordinance, as well as it being minimally burdensome for the city and its staff. Ms. Coughlin recommended a dual effort, providing a systemic approach, but not over-structuring regulations. Ms. Coughlin reviewed realistic and public or media perceived review of animals arriving I pet stores, their conditions, and their possi- ble further health deterioration depending on where they originated from before arriving at the store. Ms. Coughlin stated the HSA’s gravest concern was sourcing of the animals arriv- ing at pet stores. Ms. Coughlin reviewed some of those sources, some responsible animal breeders and other defined as “puppy mills” where commercial mass pro- duction breeding is done with the focus on profits versus animal welfare. Ms. Coughlin advised the HSA had documentation available through undercover in- vestigation and research. Ms. Coughlin noted of approximately two million ani- mals produced annually and directly funneled to pet stores, 95% of breed clubs adopted a position where they discouraged or didn’t allow their members to sell to pet stores due to the puppy mills issues.