The pet pipeline may reduce its flow with Gov. Brian Kemp signing a Georgia law preventing public sales from amateur animal breeders and others who find their pets with an unexpected litter.
HB 331 prohibits the sale of any dog, cat, or rabbit in public areas. Areas prohibited include parking lots, sidewalks, parkways, medians, roadside, public right-of-ways, parks or recreation areas, a fair, flea markets, and other transient markets or outdoor areas. Sales also include any bartering for the exchange of the animal.
The bill doesn’t refer to other animals like chickens, guinea pigs, or hamsters.
The aim of the bill is to stop “backyard breeders” who are unlicensed to breed and sell dogs, cats, and rabbits. Many of those who have bred as a side business use parking lots in shopping centers and flea markets to sell the animals. The conditions of how these animals are kept have been horrendous, according to animal advocates.
Charlotte Harrison, director of the Cedartown Polk County Humane Society, said the bill is a good start but doesn’t resolve all the problems around animal welfare.
“I appreciate the fact they are making an effort,” Harrison said. “If it saves one or 100 animals, that’s good.”
Her question about the bill comes with enforcement. Harrison isn’t sure how it will be enforced. The bill states any animal control officer, police officer, or sheriff’s deputy can enforce the law when they see it violated or investigate a report.
Others involved in animal rescue have concerns that their efforts would be hampered, she said. Rescue groups have adoption days at places like pet supplies stores.
The bill allows exemptions for licensed animal shelters, rescue groups, those giving an animal away at a private residence, a veterinarian’s office, or a business, and approved groups like 4H Clubs and licensed breed association groups participating in a show or event. It also exempts those giving an animal to someone at a police department, sheriff’s department, or other law enforcement agency during daylight hours.
Harrison hopes the bill reduces the number of unwanted animals through unlicensed breeders. She also hopes it makes people think more about spaying and neutering since they are now limited in how to find puppies, kittens, and rabbits forever homes.
“I just hope some of that will be stopped to make a difference,” she said.
The animal shelters and rescues have remained full this year with many adoptable adults and young animals, even small puppies and kittens, euthanized. Harrison said the effort to reduce unwanted animals goes beyond breeders to individual pet owners. She urges pet owners to get their animals spayed or neutered.
Cedartown Polk County Human Society offers low-cost spaying and neutering three times a week. Visit the Cedartown Polk County Human Society webpage to find out more and make an appointment.
Melody Dareing is a freelance writer for publications in the U.S., Canada, the UK, and Germany. She is a former news director of Adelphia Channel 4 and WBHF Radio.