MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD AND VOTE TO BAN!

Its already come to fruition all over the country and now it has come to us here in Mobile. Im sure you've seen FB, the news, newspapers, Lagniappe, etc about the Animal Cruelty Law changes proposed and specifically the "Flea Market, Swap Meet, side of road, city parks, parking lot sales" BAN discussed. Our own city shelter director and professional on this subject along with one of our city attorneys put it together and presented it themselves. They asked for the ban because the Animal Control Officers do not have the man power or resources as they have had a 20% cut in employees and are allowed no overtime hours. Our city shelter director recognizes they can not continually keep up with these sales and keep our citizens protected. They receive 311 and direct calls regularly on the health and status of the animals at the Flea Market and other such places but there are only minimal laws with no way to regulate them. Here is a link to a post by local 15 asking for experiences with these type pets - 

https://www.facebook.com/LOCAL15News/posts/10152477117006587

Several meetings have taken place. The second one was eye-opening as we are a pro business people. I think the biggest concern is inhibiting business and well being from these citizens. The breeders came in full force and guess what? Only ONE of them even had a residence (apartment) inside Mobile police jurisdiction. This particular 'breeder' has sold 17 different breeds of puppies on her FB page since August! So I would believe there are minimal taxes coming into our districts and they are taking their profits OUT of town while externalizing costs of venue, enforcement and passing of contagious diseases to our city and its citizens. What does it mean for you? It means more of your tax money is going to respond to complaints for someone who takes profits from our city. Our cities money is being directed to people that do not even live here to help them make money faster and easier. These breeders are not selling service, police, hunting or even show dogs. They are selling 'designer' pets. Pets, like the 150-200 dogs and puppies we as tax payers are paying the SECOND TIME OVER to house, feed and ultimately euthanize (if needed) at our city animal shelter. Stricter regulations have been suggested and while they sound like a good compromise, it is unrealistic to think an already weakened animal control will be given more man power and resources to see it through. These type sales are privately owned business ventures that should not have to be policed by our government using tax payer money. It is inappropriate. The flea market owners have also made it known they want NO responsibility in keeping any set of regulations putting it once again back on tax payer money to help them turn higher profits. Any respectable breeder will require purchasers to meet certain requirements, not just have the cash in hand. With internet, newspapers and magazines the breeders that sell at these type places will still be able to work their business without spending our taxpayer funds to do so. Cities that have banned these type sales have noted a 35% decrease in euthanasia rates and upwards of a 30% increase in adoption rates. Baton Rouge, Shreveport, West Monroe and Sterlington LA are the closest cities to enact a BAN but many others have followed suit. Spending less in tax money and saving lives? Its an obvious WIN WIN!

Sign the petition now and please share!!