To:

Palmer Township Board of Supervisors

3 Weller Place

Palmer Township, PA. 18045

And:

Whitehall Township PA Board of Commissioners

3219 MacArthur Road

Whitehall, PA. 18052

 

Subject: Petition to Ban the Sale of Dogs, Cats, Rabbits, and Guinea Pigs in Pet Stores

 

Dear Honorable Members of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors and Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners,

 

We, the undersigned residents and concerned citizens of the Lehigh Valley, surrounding communities in Pennsylvania, and concerned individuals outside our amazing Keystone State, stand united in our dedicated support for the enactment of ordinances that will ban the sale of dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs in pet stores within your townships.

We are thrilled to share that other municipalities within the Lehigh Valley, Allentown, Easton, and Forks Township, have already taken the initiative to (alongside Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Bellevue, Wilkinsburg, and Sharpsburg PA) promote animal welfare by enacting similar humane animal ordinances in their respective communities. We believe it is imperative for Palmer and Whitehall Townships to join this movement to ensure consistency across our region.

 

Our rationale for urging the prohibition of pet store sales of these animals includes the following:

1. **Animal Welfare: ** Animals bred in puppy mills and commercial breeding operations endure unimaginable suffering, living in confined spaces with inadequate sanitation, nutrition, and socialization. This blatant disregard for their well-being is unacceptable and we must do our part to help to stop these exploitative business practices. Please see this website for more information on pet stores and the puppy mills/commercial breeding operations they source from: https://bailingoutbenji.com/puppy-mill-maps/cvi-data/pennsylvania/

 

2. **Public Health: ** Animals originating from puppy mills and commercial breeding operations often carry infectious diseases such as, but not limited to, campylobacter, distemper, Bordetella, parvovirus, and kennel cough, posing a significant risk to both animal and human health. By preventing the sale of such animals in pet stores, we can mitigate disease outbreaks.

 

3. **Consumer Protection: ** Unsuspecting consumers often purchase animals from pet stores without realizing their origins or the associated risks. These consumers are subjected to predatory lending practices, with skyrocketing interest rates on same-day loans and unanticipated veterinary bills, leading them into financial distress.

 

4. **Ethical Concerns: ** Selling animals in pet stores perpetuates demand for puppy mills and encourages the continuation of unethical breeding practices. Banning such sales sends, a clear message that our communities prioritize ethical treatment of animals and responsible pet ownership.

 

5. **Promotion of Adoption: ** By prohibiting the sale of animals in pet stores, we can encourage prospective pet owners to adopt from certified and legitimate animal shelters and rescue organizations that prioritize animal welfare and health, and that are doing something to address the overpopulation of our animal friends, by offering for adoption already existing animals, spaying and neutering animals and educating adopters on how to care for them.

 

We respectfully urge the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors and the Whitehall Township PA Board of Commissioners to take immediate action by enacting ordinances that ban the sale of dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs in pet stores within your townships. This action will align our communities with a growing movement towards animal welfare, public health, and responsible pet ownership.

 

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. We hope you will consider our collective voice and make a positive impact on the lives of animals and residents within your townships.