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HomeMy Public PortalAboutr 16-169�R25s�lut taf lhpx 79j0t.0g1.1 1101 �J,suvttut, No. 16-169 Date of Adaotion CbtdXr 6,. 2016 RESOLUTION OPPOSING PUPPY & KITTEN MILLS WHEREAS, a significant number of puppies and kittens sold at pet shops come from large- scale, connnercial breeding facilities where the health and welfare of the animals are not adequately provided for ( "puppy mills" and "kitten mills" respectively). According to The Humane Society of the United States, it is estimated that 10,000 puppy mills produce more than 2,400,000 puppies a year in the United States and that most pet shop dogs and cats come front puppy mills and kitten mills; and WHEREAS, the documented abuses endemic to puppy and kitten mills include over - breeding; inbreeding; minimal to non - existent veterinary care; lack of adequate and nutritious food, water and shelter; lack of socialization; lack of adequate space; and lack of adequate exercise; and WHEREAS, the inhumane conditions in puppy and kitten mill facilities lead to health and behavioral issues in the animals bred in those facilities, which many consumers are unaware of when purchasing animals from pet shops due to both a lack of education on the issue, which may not present themselves until sometime after the purchase of the animals, can impose exorbitant financial and emotional costs on consumers; and WHEREAS, current federal and state regulations do not adequately address the sale of puppy and kitten mill dog and cats in pet shops; and WHEREAS, restricting the retail sale of puppies and kittens to only those that are sourced from shelters or rescue organizations is likely to decrease the demand for puppies and kittens bred in puppy and kitten mills, and is likely to increase demand for animals from animal shelters and rescue organizations; and WHEREAS, according to the New Jersey Department of Health 2014 Animal Intake and Disposition Survey, due in large part to pet overpopulation, more than 20,000 dogs and cats are euthanized in New Jersey animal shelters annually. Restricting the retail sale of puppies and kittens to only those that are sourced from animal shelters and rescue organizations will likely reduce pet overpopulation and thus the burden on such agencies and financial costs on local taxpayers; and WHEREAS, across the country, thousands of independent pet shops as well as large chains operate profitably with a business model focused on tine sale of pet services and supplies and not on the sale of dogs and cats. Many of these shops collaborate with local animal shelters and rescue organizations to offer space and support for showcasing adoptable homeless pets on their premises; and WHEREAS, the Borough Council does not want to affect a consumers ability to obtain a dog or cat of his choice directly from a breed - specific rescue organization or a shelter, or from a hobby breeder where the consumer can see directly the conditions in which the dogs or cats are bred, can confer directly with the hobby breeder concerning those conditions; and MEL=Wr c * PAG WHEREAS, the Governing Body believes it is in the best interests of the Borough of Carteret to adopt reasonable regulations to reduce costs to the Borough and its residents, and protect the citizens of the Borough of Carteret who may purchase cats or dogs from a pet shop or other business establishment, help prevent inhumane breeding conditions, promote community awareness of animal welfare, and foster a more humane environment in the Borough, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Carteret that the Governing Body does hereby strongly urge Governor Cluistie, the New Jersey Legislature, the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders and Municipalities throughout the state to take immediate steps to ban the sale of "puppy and kitten mill' dogs and cats from pet shops in the State of New Jersey and County of Middlesex; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Borough Council be and hereby joins with other New Jersey municipalities in calling on elected officials serving New Jersey at all levels of government to work in concert to regulate sates of animals from puppy and kitten mills; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Municipal Clerk shall forward certified copies of this Resolution to Governor Cluistie, the Middlesex County Legislative Delegation, the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders and all Middlesex County Municipalities. Adopted this 6 1s day of October, 2016 and certified as a true copy of the original on October 7, 2016. KATHLEEN M. BARNEY, M3VIC Municipal Clerk RECORD OF COUNCIL VOTE I »LM I I I I X 11 JOHAL I x I I I I X lndicae Vote As Absent NV - Not Voting XOR - todicat<s Vale m Ovenvlc Veto Adopted at 'a meeting of the Municipal Council 0—tcber 6, 2016