October 22, 2007

A bill was introduced to Australia's state government this week that seeks to outlaw cat and dog sales in pet stores.

The legislation was written by New South Wales Member of Parliament (NSW MP) Clover Moore. She cited data indicating that such sales directly contribute to the euthanization problem in Australia.

Pet stores, she says, are at the source of the issue because people make impulse pet purchases. Later, she says, unanticipated responsibilities force owners to surrender their animals.

Should the bill pass, Moore hopes it will spur more responsible breeding. She expects the measure will greatly reduce the demand for puppy mills – where animals are forced to breed until they can no longer do so.

The bill is supported by groups like the Humane Society, the Royal Society for the Protection of Animals and Animal Liberation.

Under the law, stores would still be allowed to sell pet care products. But the animals could only come from registered breeders and shelters.

Here in the U.S., no such measures exist.

Roughly one pet for every 30 Americans is euthanized each year – compared to about one in 100 down under. Those stats are based on info from DogsAcrossAustralia.com, the ASPCA and census data.

(Australia's population is 15 times smaller than that of the U.S. But 50 times as many pets are euthanized here annually.)

Some food for thought - according to Moore, her country has the highest rate of pet ownership in the world.

How would such a measure affect the 10 million pets euthanized in the United States each year? Tell us what you think under this story.

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