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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
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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
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Adopted at 'a meeting of the Municipal Council 0—tcber 6, 2016