The Ordinance will ban the sale of puppies and kittens in pet stores and prevent cruel breeding practices.

DALLAS, TX -- On Wednesday, May 11, the Dallas City Council Committee passed the Dallas Humane Pet Store Ordinance. The Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN), the SPCA of Texas, and Operation Kindness applauded the passage. 

“Since January 2021, we have been working tirelessly to pass this Ordinance to close the puppy mill pipeline to Dallas to stop hundreds of sick puppies from being shipped from out-of-state puppy mills,” said Stacy Sutton Kerby, Director of Government Relations at THLN.  “Over the years, the THLN helpline has regularly received complaints about Dallas retail stores selling sick or unhealthy puppies. We are so grateful to Chair Adam Bazaldua, Mayor Pro Team Chad West, the entire Quality of Life, Arts, & Culture Committee, and city staff for their support and attention to such a vital animal welfare issue right here in our community.” 

Dallas now joins Austin, College Station, El Paso, Euless, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Sherman, and Waco in cities that have passed a similar ordinance.  

"This Ordinance will support dozens of local humane pet stores in Dallas that do not sell puppies but rather adopt puppies who desperately need loving families,” said Karen Froehlich, President & CEO of SPCA of Texas. “Our shelter alone has over 1,000 animals in our care today, and shelters across Texas are transporting thousands of adoptable dogs to other states due to overcapacity. The time is right for Dallas to pass this Humane Pet Store Ordinance - both for animals and our community." 

“We’re proud to see that the City of Dallas is once again putting the interests of dogs and cats first,” said Ed Jamison, CEO of Operation Kindness.  “As Operation Kindness works with more than 70 shelter partners across the region, we know that shelters are full of wonderful animals that need homes. We hope this ordinance will help the community consider adoption as their first choice when bringing a pet into their family.”

For more information or to set up an interview, please reach out to Cara Gustafson at 561-797-8267 or [email protected].

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