The City of Ottawa released a report yesterday recommending amendments to the bylaw that governs the sale of pets in stores.
The report proposes to restrict future sales of pets to the three shops currently selling cats and dogs as well as shelters and humane societies that are inspected annually by the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
While the proposed amendments address some concerns of animal rights groups, such as restricting the ease with which people can buy pets, Puppymill Awareness Working Solutions (PAWS) say the report ultimately falls short.
PAWS says the new amendments do not address the issue of unsterilized animals with health problems being sold, as well as impulse buying, which lead to high rates of animal abandonment and euthanasia.
PAWS issued its own suggestions for the City of Ottawa, which call for the total ban on the retail for-profit sale of cats, dogs and rabbits. They say their recommendations are the only way to effectively address animal welfare issues in Ottawa.
The city will discuss the report at a meeting on March 21.