I am petitioning for The Ministry Of Primary Industries, the SPCA, and other relevant Government organisations to ban the sale of live animals in pet stores in New Zealand. 

On October 1st 2018, the new code by the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee came into effect. It sets out minimum standards of care and applies to companion cats and dogs in temporary housing facilities such as pet shops and pounds. Pet stores such as Animates and Petstock made the decision to stop the selling of cats and dogs. Animates working with SPCA to rehome animals, and Petstock advocating for animal adoption through its charity foundation- ‘Petstock Assist’.

However, this issue has unfortunately not come to an end. 

On the 14th of November 2021, I was made aware of two French Bulldog puppies that were for sale at ‘PetStop’ stores in Newmarket and East Tamaki. Both puppies had been alone in each store since the beginning of lockdown, and now appear extremely depressed and isolated. Upon further investigation, this is not the first case of animal cruelty that has occurred in a PetStop store. 

PetStop has already been fined in 2019 by the SPCA due to the mistreatment of animals. This case included a kitten that had to be euthanised due to an eye condition and two leopard geckos and a water dragon found living with no temperature or humidity controls. Multiple animal owners who have adopted pets from PetStop have needed to sadly put them to sleep due to the number of serious birth defects and psychological conditions. There have been reports of kittens covered in fleas, dead fish, and dying puppies. It is extremely upsetting and alarming that PetStop puts animal welfare on the back burner for a quick profit. 

I hope the Ministry Of Primary Industries, the SPCA and other relevant Government Organisations will take this petition into consideration and act in the best interests of those who cannot speak for themselves.