The Fort Collins City Council is deliberating a potential ban on the sale of pets from puppy mills, following growing concerns about animal welfare.
As the city government reporter for the Coloradoan, I’ve been tracking this issue closely. Although there’s much more to report, here’s a snapshot of the recent developments. Stay tuned for comprehensive coverage, including insights from both advocates and retail pet stores.
This issue has been on the council’s radar for months, especially since they discussed their priorities in January. While animal welfare was not officially designated as a priority, council members Julie Pignataro, Melanie Potyondy, and Kelly Ohlson expressed strong support for addressing the retail sales of animals.
Recently, the council took a significant step forward. During Tuesday’s meeting, Potyondy requested the drafting of an ordinance to be considered in August.
Proposed Ordinance Details
Potyondy proposed an ordinance aimed at prohibiting the retail sale of dogs and cats from large-scale commercial breeders. The ordinance would ensure that small, reputable in-home breeders are not affected and would provide guidelines for existing pet stores to rehome their animals and potentially transform their business models.
Council members Pignataro, Ohlson, and Susan Gutowsky showed their support for the ordinance. However, Mayor Pro-tem Emily Francis and council member Tricia Canonico advocated for a more measured approach.
Francis emphasized the importance of a thorough and appropriate process, expressing concerns about the potential shift from regulated to unregulated businesses. Canonico echoed the need for a data-driven approach to ensure the ordinance effectively addresses the problem.
Concerns and Considerations
Francis questioned, “Is what we’re adopting just feel-good, or is it actually addressing the problem? Are we moving a regulated business to an unregulated business?” She suggested that a detailed memo on these points would be beneficial before proceeding with the ordinance.
Potyondy agreed, highlighting the community’s need for clarity on the issue. “What I have learned during my exploration of this issue is just that there are many mechanisms in place to get a cute puppy to a pet store without confronting the circumstances that puppy came from,” she noted.
She further stated, “I don’t think it matches what Fort Collins values to have large-scale commercial breeders sending what they consider to be products into our city.”
Local Context
Currently, only one pet store in Fort Collins, Pet City at 3663 S. College Ave., sells animals, while multiple animal rescues operate in the area.
Advocates for banning sales from puppy mills have previously presented their case to the City Council. Several Colorado cities, including Aurora, Littleton, Berthoud, and Johnstown, have enacted humane pet sales laws. Conversely, Colorado Springs and Durango have rejected such measures.
As Fort Collins continues to explore this potential ordinance, the conversation around animal welfare and ethical pet sales practices remains a significant focus for the community and its leaders.
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