City’s New Pet Ordinance Takes Effect

With the new year come new rules for pet owners. The city’s controversial pet ordinance went into effect today.

The new rules apply only to cats and dogs younger than a year old, but will be enforced among pet stores, pet shelters, and the general public alike.

Under the ordinance, the sale of puppies and kittens under eight weeks old is banned.

The owners of pregnant cats and dogs must pay for a litter license, even if they’re just planning on giving the animals away after they’re born. The cost is 75 dollars per animal. Only one litter is allower per animal per year.

Pet breeders also have to get a license of their own. They cost 100 dollars and last for three years. Breeders must prove each of their animals are accredited by a purebred registry. Each litter must be eligible for registry, too.

Also new– the city gets a say in how breeders price their pets. A price cap is now in place to prevent breeders from selling their puppies or kittens at a profit. They can only charge $50 per pet if they are not spayed or neutered. They can charge up to $150 if the pet is spayed or neutered. There is one exception to the rule, however. Breeders can charge more if they can come up with receipts proving they made a significant investment in their animals to justify a price hike.

Mayor John Cook told ABC-7 that the idea is to help curb the amount of cats and dogs that are euthanized in El Paso ever year. Approximately 18,000 are put down every year. The hope is that people will be encouraged to adopt abandoned animals at city shelters instead of buying them from so-called backyard breeders.

“My goal is to reduce the number of pets that we execute every year…whether the humane society benefits is beside the point,” said Mayor Cook in an interview with ABC-7 over the summer.

However, some breeders told ABC-7 they felt the city was over-stepping its boundaries and targeting the wrong people by imposing a price cap. American Kennel Club registered breeder Dathan Zimmerman said he was in favor of most of the new rules, but disagreed with the pricing limits. He used to be able to sell puppies in El Paso for 400 dollars each.

“My dog is not going to be your common dog found in the desert. My dog is not the kind that can be purchased by an 18, 19 year old that will end up discarded on the street. Someone who’s going to pay this much money is obviously gonna take care of their investment” said Zimmerman.

At the Humane Society of El Paso, director Betty Hoover said she understood the concerns from breeders, but felt the ordinance was a necessary step. She said she’s glad the city is taking a stance by taking a step toward becoming a “no-kill” city.

“Pets are not commodities,” said Hoover. “They’re not products that can be sold or dumped or traded in. When you adopt a pet you make a commitment to that pet for that pet’s life.”