Pet overpopulation is a huge problem in Orange county Florida. Orange County Animal Services receives approximately 23,000 animals EACH YEAR. 50% of those animals will not find new homes and will be euthanized. In statistics from  2010-2013 , Orange County Animal Services shows that 18% of animals euthanized were healthy, happy, well behaved and ADOPTABLE pets. That's about 2,000 pets that COULD HAVE been adopted. http://www.orangecountyfl.net/AnimalsPets/PetOverpopulation.aspx#.VuLwy2afNKo Orange County animal services goes to great ends to help these animals get adopted. They provide vaccinations, micro-chipping, and spay/ neuter surgery in the adoption fee of $55 or less. There is absolutely no reason for commercial "for profit" pet stores/ unlicensed breeders that breed and sell animals for the sole purpose of making money with no regard to the well being of the animals. (http://www.orangecountyfl.net/AnimalsPets/PetOverpopulation.aspx#.VuLwy2afNKo

Commercial puppy stores are full of puppies bred from puppy mills. These animals spend 24 hours a day in a small cage and recieve little to no medical oversight. ( for more information on puppy mills- http://www.aspca.org/animal-cruelty/puppy-mills ) Pet stores also do not provide any health related services or spay/neuter the animals, which just adds to the overpopulation issue. By ending the commercial "puppy stores" and ending the commercial sales of cats and rabbits in pet stores across orange county,  it will end the inhumane breeding and selling of animals for profit and allow the thousands of animals in the shelters a higher chance at adoption.

I understand that some people are passionate about specific breeds. If people do breed an animal they MUST BE licensed to do so and meet high quality care and living standards for the animals they breed. Broward county has implemented a wonderful program that requires all breeders to obtain a license through animal services and must agree to providing vaccinations and medical treatment to the animals they sell. Also, the breeder must provide Broward county the names of the people they sell the animals to and agree to inspection of the premises where the animals will live. This will hopefully weed out the backyard breeders who are trying to make a quick profit off puppies. As well, it will allow consumers who chose not to adopt from a shelter or rescue to go to a licensed and responsible breeder who will ensure quality of the dogs they are selling.