On Tuesday The Clark County Commission unanimously approved an ordinance designed to reduce demand for puppy mills, which force captive dogs to produce multiple litters a year, for as long as a decade, often in horrible conditions that jeopardize the health of the mother and her babies.
Commissioner Michael Naft sponsored the ordinance, which will allow pet stores in unincorporated Clark County to sell only animals received from shelters and rescue organizations.
“Clark County is generally accustomed to being the leader on issues in the state,” Naft said, adding that in this case, the county is following the lead of some 400 municipalities that have adopted similar bans, including North Las Vegas and Reno. Pet store sales remain legal in Henderson and the City of Las Vegas, which approved a ban but repealed it in 2017. “I invite my colleagues in these cities yet to act, to consider a similar policy,” Naft said after the meeting.
The ordinance is intended to help stem overcrowding in shelters. Southern Nevada, like much of the nation, is in the midst of an animal overpopulation crisis. The Animal Foundation, is struggling to keep its doors open, yet you currently have to make an appointment to turn in a stray dog. As of the time of the Commission meeting, the next appointment is six weeks away.”
Speakers during the public comment portion of the meeting complained that pet stores are allowed to sell animals that have not been sterilized, further contributing to overpopulation. Rescues and shelters are prohibited from releasing animals that have not been spayed or neutered.
Naft said the ordinance is the “humane thing to do and the fiscally responsible thing to do,” noting the County spends $2.6 million a year on the Animal Foundation, the municipal shelter, and $3.7 million a year on its Animal Control Department. ”I think we need to, from a policy perspective, make sure that we’re not both funding the problem and funding the solution here.”
Pet store owners and their supporters suggest that shelter dogs are dangerous rejects and that only stores can provide healthy, purebred puppies, a notion dispelled by animal activists.
“Animal shelters, contrary to what the pet stores say, are not just filled with pitbulls and chihuahuas,” Lori Heeren, executive director of the Nevada Society for the Protection of Animals, told commissioners. “In the last month, NSPCA has taken in purebred Alaskan Huskies, German Shepherds, an English bulldog, a Maltese Scottish Terrier, a Chinese shar pei, a Doberman Pinscher, even a pug puppy and a French bulldog puppy – all given up by their owners. Sometimes these owners even give us the receipt from this puppy to show its value and usually the reason for surrendering the puppy is because they were not ready for it.”
“I understand that this will affect families’ livelihoods,” Heeren said of the ordinance. “But your pet store puppies are ending up in our shelter, and after pet stores have collected their checks, our small nonprofit has to fundraise to pay for them.”
“We need to unify instead of dividing and eliminating sources,” said pet store owner Joe Shamore, who argued that pet stores can’t be profitable without selling animals.
About 70% of U.S. households have at least one pet. Spending on pet products and services reached $123.6 billion last year – $1,480 per dog and $902 per cat, according to the American Pet Care Association. Large retailers such as PetSmart and Petco do not sell dogs and cats but work with rescues to find homes.
Naft thanked former Clark County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani, who attempted to pass a similar ordinance six years ago.
Something needed to be done, and I hope this new ordinance helps!
Here are just a handful of Animal rescue/adoption agencies in Las Vegas.
-Carla Rea
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Heaven Can Wait Animal Society
Heaven Can Wait Animal Society was founded in 2000, as a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating the senseless, unnecessary killing of cats and dogs in Las Vegas area shelters. Their team focuses on the critical need for high-volume, low-cost spay and neuter surgeries for companion animals and free-roaming cats. Heaven Can Wait Animal Society also facilitates educational programs and adoption opportunities.
This is Hannah, and she would like a forever home!
Nevada NSPCA
Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was founded in 1982, as Southern Nevada’s original no-kill shelter. They are a 501 (c)(3) charitable non-profit organization that relies entirely on the generous donations of animal lovers like YOU to make our lifesaving work possible! Our shelter does not receive funding from any large national SPCA, ASPCA, or any government agency; we are an independent non-profit that serves Southern Nevada.Nevada SPCA takes in over 2,000 dogs, cats, rabbits, and other small pets annually; treating each and every animal in our care as an individual with a name, identity, and unique personality. Our ultimate goal is to place them into loving homes where they can thrive, provide companionship, and maintain rewarding relationships with their human family.This is Armani, who would desperately like to go home with you!
Nevada SPCA takes in over 2,000 dogs, cats, rabbits, and other small pets annually; treating each and every animal in our care as an individual with a name, identity, and unique personality. Our ultimate goal is to place them into loving homes where they can thrive, provide companionship, and maintain rewarding relationships with their human family.Hearts Alive Village
Hearts Alive Village Horse & Hooves Rescue and Sanctuary, is right here in Las Vegas. They had just begun building their sanctuary to rescue horses, donkeys, goats, pigs and other animals that need protection. But when 5 goats, 2 dogs and a beautiful horse named Annie needed their help, they couldn’t turn them away. Annie and her pals had been undernourished, neglected, and left to die. They quickly built safe, temporary quarters but there is still so much more to do. And yes – they have cats and dogs too!
Here’s Bobby the Goat, and Latte the Horse!
Photos: Hearts Alive Village
