A proposal to ban the sale of dogs and cats in pet stores in El Paso, Texas, was scheduled for an August hearing at press time.

Under the proposed ordinance, pet stores would not be permitted to sell dogs and cats as of Sept. 1. However, a grandfather clause would allow them to sell animals they already had in the store prior to that date.

Only persons who hold a valid breeder’s license and litter permit could sell dogs and cats under the proposal.

Animal welfare organizations would be authorized to transfer dogs and cats for fees “to recover costs and for other purposes consistent with the organization’s nonprofit status.”

Pet stores would be permitted to allow animal welfare organizations to use their premises for such transfers, provided the animals are at least a year old.

Pet stores also would be permitted to “sell other living creatures including, but not limited to, fish, birds, rodents, insects, arachnids and reptiles.”

However, the ban easily could be expanded to include other pet animals, the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (Washington) warned in a PetAlert. “The effect of this proposal is to limit the availability of pets, and so it essentially imposes a restriction on keeping pets.”

Elsewhere in the state, the effects of a similar ban enacted in July already have been felt: The Austin Petland—the sole pet shop to sell animals—closed its doors due to the ban’s passage, according to published news reports.

San Antonio, Dallas and Lubbock reportedly may consider such bans as well.

Meanwhile, the San Francisco Commission of Animal Control and Welfare in July tabled a proposal that sought to prohibit not only the sale of cats and dogs but all pets except fish.

The proposed ban, which received widespread media coverage, drew the opposition of local pet stores and pet owners who crowded a lengthy public hearing, according to the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (Washington).

Michael Maddox, vice president of governmental affairs and general counsel, also testified at the hearing.

The commission, an advisory body with no authority to adopt ordinances, may still take action at a future meeting, according to PIJAC.

The commission’s recommendations would have to be accepted by the Board of Supervisors before becoming law. [September 2010 PET AGE]