Indianapolis moves to ban retail sale of cats, dogs, rabbits. But state could intervene.
The Indianapolis City-County Council unanimously passed an ordinance Monday to ban pet stores in Indianapolis from selling dogs, cats and rabbits.
The city hopes to encourage adoption from the city’s crowded animal care shelters, protect consumers from misleading and predatory sales tactics at puppy mills, and reduce the number of puppy mills, Council Vice President Zach Adamson said.
“This proposal has been a long time coming," Adamson said in a news release. "It represents years of planning and coordinating with constituents, non-profit animal welfare groups, and discussions with pet stores.”
The ban, though, may not last for long, at least as it applies to dogs. The Indiana Senate passed Senate Bill 134, written by Sen. Blake Doriot, R-Goshen, to restrict cities and towns like Indianapolis from banning the sale of certain dogs at pet stores this year and moving forward. If the House also passes the legislation and the governor signs it, that portion of Indianapolis' law would be overturned.
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Under the Indianapolis law, it's illegal for a pet shop to sell cats, dogs and rabbits unless they were obtained from an animal services shelter or animal rescue organization. Even then, an animal cannot be sold for more than $500.
Any pet shop registered prior to April 1, 2023, will have until May 1, 2025 to comply. All pet shops registered after April 1 will be subject to the ban immediately. Pet stores will be fined $500 for the first violation within a year and at least $750 within a year for subsequent violations.
Councilor John Barth of District 7, a co-sponsor of the ordinance, said more than 440 local governments, including 13 Indiana cities, have similar bans.
Locally, Carmel city councilors voted June 20 to ban the sale of cats and dogs at pet stores in the city.
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Local animal welfare originations signed a letter of support for the ordinance in Indianapolis, including Indy Humane, Friends of Indy Animals, Guardian Angel Bassett rescue, Love of Labs Indiana, Medical Mutts, Golden Retriever Rescue, Friends of Indianapolis Dogs Outside, FACE Low-Cost Clinic, and Indiana House Rabbit Society, according to the council's news release.
Some pet stores opposed the ordinance. CEO of Uncle Bill’s Pet Centers Lori Wilson called it anti-commerce and anti-consumer and said the business would have to move out of Marion County if the ban passes.
Contact IndyStar reporter Ko Lyn Cheang at kcheang@indystar.com or 317-903-7071. Follow her on Twitter: @kolyn_cheang.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis bans sale of cats, dogs, rabbits to combat puppy mills
