LEXINGTON, Ky. — An ordinance to ban the sales of cats and dogs in pet stores is moving forward.
A former Petland employee shared her experiences at an Urban County Council committee meeting on April 9.
Danielle Helsdottir has always been an animal lover. She landed a job at Petland in March of this year, but it didn’t turn out the way she expected. Helsdottir says that puppies were underweight, noting in particular a Havanese puppy that wasn’t eating, which is abnormal behavior. She explained the puppy was acting lethargic.
“Despite everything that she was going through, she was still being taken out to customers on the sales floor, trying to be sold to people and it was never once disclosed that she was having issues,” Helsdottir said.
In response to these claims, Petland said in a statement: “If a puppy is showing signs of illness, it is documented, and the puppy is seen by the store’s consulting state-licensed veterinarian.”
The health of puppies and kittens at Lexington pet stores like Petland and Most Valuable Pets have caused enough concern that a pet sales ordinance has been introduced by Councilwoman Jennifer Reynolds, District 11.
“Oftentimes, cats and dogs come from what are often known as puppy mills and are breeded in an unhealthy way and often sickly and then resold for a higher price,” Reynolds said.
In an email sent to Lexington council members, Petland said: “Our stores get their puppies from USDA licensed breeders with no direct violations on their inspection reports for the previous two years. They adhere to local, state, and federal regulations and hold themselves to even higher standards by supporting Purdue University and their Canine Care Certified Breeder program. We are willing to do more.”
During a Social Services and Public Safety Committee Meeting on April 9, council members unanimously voted to move the ordinance forward.
“This really speaks to me and I am in support of this proposed ordinance,” Vice Mayor Dan Wu said.
Helsdottir gave a testimony during the meeting.
“On behalf of the animals that cannot speak for themselves, I urge you to ban the sale of puppies at pet stores, so no more suffer needlessly,” Helsdottir said.
She was pleased that the council members voted to move the ordinance forward and hopes it will eventually pass.
“When I was a kid, I always said, ‘One day I would find a way to help animals, however that is,’ and today’s that day,” Helsdottir said.
The ordinance now rests in the hands of the full council. It will be reported out during another Social Services and Public Safety Committee Meeting in May.
Other cities, like Elizabethtown and Louisville, have passed similar ordinances.
Most Valuable Pets is the other pet store that would be affected by this ordinance if it ultimately passes. Both cats and dogs are sold at that store. Spectrum News reached out to them for comment, but they didn’t respond.