Late yesterday, the American Kennel Club’s Government Relations Department (AKC GR) learned that the Louisville Metro Council will consider a problematic animal ordinance tomorrow, Thursday, September 28, 2023, at 6PM. The proposal seeks to:
- Define “retail pet store” as a commercial establishment that sells or offers for sale animals on its premises at retail, irrespective of the type of license the establishment holds or whether the establishment is licensed. This definition should be amended to specifically exclude Class A, B, and C kennels and catteries as defined under Louisville/Jefferson County law.
- Gut consumer protections for persons who purchase or adopt a puppy, dog, cat, kitten, or ferret. The American Kennel Club (AKC) supports reasonable laws and regulations intended to protect the pet-buying public in obtaining a sound dog of the breed represented.
- Prohibit the sales of dogs and cats in retail pet stores. AKC supports freedom of choice in selecting a pet and promotes efforts to ensure that people are educated, understand the demands of responsible ownership, and have access to a pet that is right for them. AKC opposes any measure that restricts choice by compelling people and/or retailers to obtain pets solely from shelter or rescue distributors.
- Excludes volunteer dog rescue groups affiliated with and/or supported by certain AKC clubs and dog breeders from the definition of “animal rescue organization”.
- Change the definition of “dog” to include dogs of all ages. The purpose of this redefinition is unclear, particularly considering that current law references “dogs and puppies” when specification is necessary.
The proposed ordinance also contains a positive provision that would prohibit the sales of dog and cats on streets, public rights-of-way, flea markets, parking lots, etc., with exclusions for state/county fairs, 4-H programs, and similar exhibitions and educational programs.
Click here to read AKC’s September 19 alert on this issue.
What You Can Do:
Residents are urged to contact Metro Council members to state their concerns, ask that they do not approve the proposed animal ordinance as currently drafted, and amend problematic definitions.
Committee Members:
Tammy Hawkins (Dist.1) – (502) 574-1101, Tammy.Hawkins@louisvilleky.gov
Barbara Shanklin (Dist. 2) – (502) 574-1102, Barbara.Shanklin@louisvilleky.gov
Kumar Rashad (Dist. 3) – (502) 574-1103, Kumar.Rashad@louisvilleky.gov
Jecorey Arthur (Dist. 4) – (502) 574-1104, Jecorey.Arthur@louisvilleky.gov
Donna Purvis (Dist. 5) – (502) 574-1105, Donna.Purvis@louisvilleky.gov
Phillip Baker (Dist. 6) – (502) 574-1106, Phillip.Baker@louisvilleky.gov
Paula McCraney (Dist. 7) – (502) 574-1107, Paula.McCraney@louisvilleky.gov
Ben Reno-Weber (Dist. 8) – (502) 574-1108, Ben.Reno-Weber@louisvilleky.gov
Andrew Owen (Dist. 9) – (502) 574-1109, Andrew.Owen@louisvilleky.gov
Pat Mulvihill (Dist. 10) – (502) 574-1110, Pat.Mulvihill@louisvilleky.gov
Kevin Kramer (Dist. 11) – (502) 574-1111, Kevin.Kramer@louisvilleky.gov
Rick Blackwell (Dist. 12) – (502) 574-1112, Rick.Blackwell@louisvilleky.gov
Dan Seum, Jr. (Dist.13) – (502) 574-1113, Dick.Suem@louisvilleky.gov
Cindy Fowler (Dist. 14) – (502) 574-1114, Cindi.Fowler@louisvilleky.gov
Jennifer Chappell (Dist. 15) – (502) 574-1115, Jennifer.Chappell@louisvilleky.gov
Scott Reed (Dist. 16) – (502) 574-1116, Scott.Reed@louisvilleky.gov
Markus Winkler (Dist. 17) – (502) 574-1117, Markus.Winkler@louisvilleky.gov
Marilyn Parker (Dist. 18) – (502) 574-1118 Marilyn.Parker@louisvilleky.gov
Anthony Piagentini (Dist. 19) – (502) 574-1119, Anthony.Piagentini@louisvilleky.gov
Stuart Benson (Dist. 20) – (502) 574-1120, Stuart.Benson@louisvilleky.gov
Betsy Ruhe (Dist. 21) – (502) 574-1121, Betsy.Ruhe@louisvilleky.gov
Robin Engle (Dist. 22) – (502) 574-1122, Robin.Engel@louisvilleky.gov
Jeff Hudson (Dist. 23) – (502) 574-1123, Jeff.Hudson@louisvilleky.gov
Madonna Flood (Dist. 24) – (502) 547-1124, Madonna.Flood@louisvilleky.gov
Khalil Batshon (Dist. 25) – (502) 574-1125, Khalil.Batshon@louisvilleky.gov
Brent Ackerson (Dist. 26) – (502) 574-1126, Brent.Ackerson@louisvilleky.gov
Resources:
AKC’s key issue page on Pet Choice
Talking Points: Consumer Protection Laws Protect the Public and Animals
Video: Your Right to Choose a Pet
Issue Analysis: Bans on Retail Pet Sales Fail to Protect Pets, Undermine Responsible Pet Choice
Talking Points: Retail Bans Undermine Consumer Choice
Contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org for more information.