Next week, two communities in New Jersey will consider ordinances that restrict pet stores to selling only dogs sourced from shelters and rescues.
On Tuesday, June 27, at 8PM, the Borough of Westwood will consider Ordinance #23-20, Prohibiting the Sale of Dogs and Cats by Retail Pet Stores. Then, on Wednesday, June 28, at 7:30PM, the Borough of Pompton Lakes will consider a similar restriction in Ordinance 23-26 (digital version not available).
Residents in Westwood and Pompton Lakes, along with all New Jersey residents concerned with further infringements on their ability to locally obtain a puppy from the source of their choice, are strongly encouraged to contact officials in the respective communities and urge opposition to these unfair proposals.
ABOUT RETAIL SALES BANS:
Retail pet sales bans and restrictions harm future pet owners and do nothing to improve animal welfare. Retail bans:
- Undermine or repeal consumer protections available to future pet owners,
- Reduce the opportunity for future pet owners to obtain a pet that comes from a known and regulated source, and
- Limits the choice of pets available.
A better solution is to consider broad consumer protection and cruelty laws that hold all accountable who sell or transport dogs and continuing to allow pet stores to source from all humane sources, including from licensed breeders. Commercial breeders in and around New Jersey are already regulated by the USDA, and are required to follow all applicable state and federal animal welfare laws.
RESOURCES:
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.
Talking Points: Consumer Protection Laws Protect the Public and Animals.
For more about retail pet sales, visit AKC’s key issue page on Pet Choice.
WESTWOOD:
Email or call the following Westwood officials to request they oppose Ordinance #23-20:
Raymond Arroyo, Mayor – 201-664-7100, ext. 106; rarroyo@westwoodnj.gov
Christopher Montana, Council President – 201-664-7100, ext. 143; cmontana@westwoodnj.gov
Robert Bicocchi – 201-664-7100, ext. 147; rbicocchi@westwoodnj.gov
Erin Collins – 201-664-7100, ext. 146; ecollins@westwoodnj.gov
Beth Dell – 201-664-7100, ext. 145; bdell@westwoodnj.gov
Cheryl Hodges – 201-664-7100, ext. 144; chodges@westwoodnj.gov
Anthony Greco – 201-664-7100, ext. 142; agreco@westwoodnj.gov
Westwood residents are also strongly encouraged to attend the Tuesday, June 27, 2023, meeting of the Borough Council to speak in opposition to Ordinance #23-20. The open session of the meeting is scheduled to begin at 8PM at the Westwood Municipal Complex, 101 Washington Avenue, Westwood, New Jersey 07675.
POMPTON LAKES:
Email the following Westwood officials to request they oppose Ordinance 23-26 (digital version not available). You may also call 973-835-0143 to express opposition to the proposal.
Michael Serra, Mayor – mserra@pomptonlakes-nj.gov
Jennifer Polidori, Council President – jpolidori@pomptonlakes-nj.gov
William Baig, Councilman – wbaig@pomptonlakes-nj.gov
Erik DeLine, Councilman – edeline@pomptonlakes-nj.gov
Ek Venin, Councilman – evenin@pomptonlakes-nj.gov
Maria Kent, Councilwoman – mkent@pomptonlakes-nj.gov
Bobby Cruz, Councilman – rcruz@pomptonlakes-nj.gov
Copy Elizabeth Brandsness, Municipal Clerk, on emails to Council members – clerk@pomptonlakes-nj.gov.
Pompton Lake residents are also strongly encouraged to attend the Wednesday, June 28, 2023, meeting of the Borough Council to speak in opposition to Ordinance #23-26. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7:30PM in the Municipal Council Chambers at the Pompton Lakes Municipal Building, 25 Lenox Avenue, Pompton Lakes, New Jersey 07442.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact the American Kennel Club’s Government Relations Department at doglaw@akc.org.