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SECTION 2. Section 501.25 is renumbered as section 501.26, and section 501.25 is <br />hereby amended as follows <br />501.25 PET STORES: <br />The City Council finds that a significant number of puppies and kittens sold at pet stores come <br />from large-scale, commercial breeding facilities where the health and welfare of the animals are <br />not adequately provided for; and <br />The City Council finds that the documented abuses endemic to mass breeding facilities include <br />over -breeding; inbreeding; minimal to non-existent veterinary care; lack of adequate and <br />nutritious food, water and shelter; lack of socialization; lack of adequate space; lack of adequate <br />exercise; no or limited screening of genetic diseases; inadequate transportation and shipping <br />protocols of puppies and kittens; and indiscriminate disposal of breeding dogs and cats who have <br />reached the end of their profitable breeding cycle; and <br />The City Council finds that inhumane conditions in mass breeding facilities lead to health and <br />behavioral issues in the animals bred in those facilities, which many consumers are unaware of <br />when purchasing animals from pet stores due to both a lack of education on the issue and <br />misleading tactics of pet stores in some cases. These health and behavioral issues, which may not <br />present themselves until sometime after the purchase of the animals; can impose exorbitant <br />financial and emotional costs on consumers; and <br />The City Council finds that current Federal and State regulations do not properly address the sale <br />of dogs and cats in pet stores, while the City of Roseville does not possess adequate resources to <br />safeguard the health and well being of dogs and cats at the point of sale; and <br />The City Council finds that due in large part to pet overpopulation, numerous dogs and cats are <br />euthanized. Restricting the retail sale of puppies and kittens is likely to increase demand from <br />animal shelters and rescue organizations; and <br />The City Council finds that across the country, thousands of independent pet stores as well as <br />large chains operate profitably with a business model focused on the sale of pet services and <br />supplies and not on the sale of commercially bred dogs or cats. Many of these stores collaborate <br />with local animal shelters and rescue organizations to offer space and support for showcasing <br />adoptable homeless pets on their premises; and <br />The City Council finds that this Ordinance will not adversely impact consumers' ability to obtain <br />a dog or cat of their choice directly from an animal shelter, or breed -specific rescue organization, <br />or from a breeder where the consumer can see directly the conditions in which the dogs or cats <br />are bred or can confer directly with the breeder concerning those conditions; and <br />The City Council finds that it is in the best interests of the City of Roseville to adopt reasonable <br />regulations to help prevent inhumane breeding conditions, promote community awareness of <br />animal welfare, and foster a more humane environment in the City. <br />