Calgary woman renews calls to ban sale of puppies in stores
A petition that was started last fall to ban the sale of puppies in private retail stores has garnered more than 21,000 signatures so far.
Meghan Huchkowsky, co-owner of Calgary pet supply store Doodle Dogs, launched the petition to spread the word about the issue, hoping it will garner support from new city councillors.
“Unfortunately there is just no bylaw or regulation in Calgary to disallow that, so the petition is meant to create more awareness around, ‘Hey, this is something we really want to get rid of,’” said Huchkowsky.
“Now that we have a new council, I kind of want to get in front of their faces and say, ‘I hope this is something you’re interested in pursing this year.’”
The Calgary Humane Society confirms that there is one store in the city that sells puppies, but that there are many other retailers that sell lizards and birds, pets that are called “pocket animals.”
Brad Nichols, director of operations and enforcement with the Calgary Humane Society, says with the overpopulation of animals at the facility and other rescue operations, retailers that sell puppies are adding to the problem.
“There’s a finite amount of resources for kennels and foster homes, and we aren’t the only ones in this boat. What we’re asking people to do is foster from an animal welfare organization, or adopt an animal from a shelter rather than purchase one from a store.”
Robert Church, owner of The Top Dog Store, which sells puppies, does not believe his store is contributing to the overpopulation in the shelters. He is confident the animals from his store are not ending up in the shelters.
Church says all the puppies at his business are well taken care of and feels he is being unfairly targeted.
“I consider our store an exemplary provider and we provide a valuable service in the community by providing ethically-bred puppies to better people’s lives, if they can bring a puppy into their homes,” said Church.
“We operate under veterinarian supervision and have professionally designed kennels. The dogs are out and socialize with us. They get fed the best food, all their vaccinations are up to date, and we microchip them.”
Furthermore, Church believes his store provides a safe and reliable option for people who do want to buy puppies.
“The flip side is people would go to places like Kijiji or some other unreliable source.”
Huchkowsky believes the practice of selling dogs in private stores is archaic and dated.
She says Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto have all banned the sale of cats and dogs in retail stores and hopes Calgary will follow suit.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.