Palm Beach County Commission Seeks to Curb Puppy Mills

Palm Beach County Commissioners recently approved a new measure prohibiting new pet stores from selling cats or dogs in the county. The measure takes aim at curbing the market for pets born in commercial breeding operations commonly known as puppy mills.

The measure does not prohibit sales by the eight preexisting pet stores so long as they buy from licensed breeders meeting USDA standards. While some animal advocates complain that the measure does not go far enough to curb the market, proponents respond that it is at least a step in the right direction.

The new measure effects Palm Beach County and the thirty-nine cities within the county. Municipal boards within the county are still permitted to vote to opt out of the measures. The new measures took effect on October 1st.

For more information, see:

Skyler Swisher, Sun Sentinel, “Palm Beach County bans dog, cat sales at new pet stores in effort to clamp down on puppy mills,” September 27, 2016, http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/palm-beach/fl-palm-puppy-mill-final-20160927-story.html

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