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DEPUTATION CONCERNING MOTION 21-G-041, AMENDMENT TO BUSINESS LICENSING BY-LAW REGARDING SALE OF ANIMALS
The following Deputations were provided concerning motion 21-G-041, Amendment to Business Licensing By-law regarding Sale of Animals:
1. Donna Power advised that she is speaking on behalf of an advocacy group named for Paws-4-Ontario. She provided on overview on the organization such as being in existence since 2014, has over 1000 members and their goal is to defend and improve the lives of domestic animals through by-laws and legislative changes.
Ms. Power advised that their focus has been to ensure that domestic pets sold in pet shops are sourced from municipal animal shelters, humane societies, registered shelters, or community rescue groups. She discussed the organization's ask for pet stores to take the necessary steps to ensure they are selling healthy ethically bred animals and establish transparent relationships to guarantee nothing is held back and the consumer knows exactly what they are buying.
Ms. Power summarized the steps that ethical breeders take such as registering their business with the Canadian Kennel Society, typically only breed one type of dog, usually one litter per year per dog, do genetic testing to ensure that there are no deformities or diseases in the bloodline, and often the adopter is interviewed for suitable homes for the dogs.
In conclusion, Ms. Power advised that since Paws-4-Ontario initiative to protect pets has resulted in 17 Ontario municipalities updating their by-laws to state that dogs, cats, and rabbits (domestic pets) are to be sourced only from municipal animal shelters, humane societies, registered shelters, or community rescue groups.
Councillor, G. Harvey asked questions to Ms. Powers and received responses.
2. Lindsay Fitzgerald, owner of Doogan's Pet Centre advised that she has worked very hard to operate her business in and that she only purchases pets from local breeders. She noted that most...
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