Get Involved at the Pet Advocacy Network Town Hall

COULD THE LATEST proposed legislation negatively impact your business? Do you want to take action but are not sure how? The Pet Advocacy Network (PAN) Town Hall, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the Show Floor Talks Stage, will give both tools and tips to empower pet care professionals to connect with lawmakers and influence decisions before they affect their business. With the path to victory being the overarching theme of this year’s PAN panel, the main topic of discussion will focus on how the responsible pet care community can score more legislative wins.

“PAN will share how it developed a winning strategy for the most recent legislative session, notching victories in key policy fights across the country,” says Sandy Moore, PAN’s new CEO, who most recently served as president of Segrest Inc., one of the largest pet wholesalers in the world. “The panel will also discuss how PAN can help members develop a winning strategy for their businesses, using consistent and effective interactions with local legislators to protect their bottom lines.”

Moore says there are many ways specifically for pet retailers to take action.

“They can share their story, offer their expertise, and help ensure responsible pet care is represented at all levels of government. We’re encouraging people to sign up for PAN’s free Network of Advocates program for more opportunities to get involved and shape winning policies.”

Not sure what the current policy fights and trends are and how they could affect your business? Here are three current issues expected to affect retailers:

PET BIRD BANS

“We’re seeing a growing number of local and state governments considering legislation to ban the sale of many species of companion birds,” Moore says. “Unfortunately, we know that pet sale bans drive customers away from responsible retailers and toward black-market scams.”

Recent bans, such as a bill introduced by New York City Council Member Diana Ayala this past June (Intro 1325), would ban NYC pet retailers from displaying, auctioning, transferring or selling pet birds. New York State Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal and Massachusetts Representative Shirley Arriaga have also introduced pet bird bans in retail stores for their states (Assembly Bill A8327 and Bill HD.4910).

Concerns by supporters range from less-than-proper care by pet stores and too many pet birds in shelters to non-native birds being released in the wild and wildlife trafficking as a source of the birds. (Note: Since the Wild Bird Conservation Act was enacted in 1992, most pet birds for sale have been bred domestically.)

Banning the sale of pet birds will hurt or put out of business retailers that specialize in these pets; remove a companion pet option for those unable to walk a dog; eliminate a valuable resource for pet bird parents in their feathered pet’s care, education, grooming and boarding; plus increase scams for potential parents looking for a pet bird while removing a regulated and transparent source of pet birds.

BREED-SPECIFIC BANS

“In recent years, animal activists around the world have increasingly pushed a narrative claiming that certain breeds — including Brachycephalic breeds — are inherently unhealthy,” Moore says.
She cites July’s civil action by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) in the Manhattan Supreme Court, in which PETA sued the American Kennel Club (AKC) for designing, promoting and profiting off of deformed dogs by upholding standards allegedly leading to deformities, great suffering and premature death. Breeds mentioned in the recent lawsuit are the popular French Bulldog, Bulldog, Dachshund, Pug and the Chinese Shar-Pei.

Moore says, “PETA and other well-funded activists are also pushing breed-specific legislation that restricts responsible pet ownership. If they’re successful, retailers in some markets could be forced to stop selling some of their most popular, in-demand breeds.”

Bans or restrictions on breeding traits such as hairlessness, snub noses (brachycephalic), skin folds or other cosmetic traits allegedly associated with health issues have already been implemented in countries such as Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Norway and the Netherlands. Breed restriction legislation for health concerns has popped up in the U.S., including 2024’s New Hampshire House Bill 1102 (tabled by the House) and a passed ordinance in Ojai, CA, that prohibits the breeding of cats and dogs with certain congenital anatomical features.

These restrictions would affect retailers who sell products for and about the targeted breeds. More than 10 cat and 20 dog breeds fall under the brachycephalic classification, including the AKC’s most popular dog breed of 2024, the French Bulldog.

PET SCAMS

“The Better Business Bureau has reported over 23,000 pet scams in recent years, thanks in part to a growing number of pet sale bans,” Moore says.

Scammers place ads online and in print offering a puppy or kitten for sale, often a purebred breed for much less money than a retail store or professional breeder would charge. Scammers ask for the money up front and then disappear without ever delivering the puppy or kitten. These scams have been increasing year-round, though surge around the holidays.

Here’s where retailers can really step in to help prospective and current pet parents. “Retailers can help attract and maintain customers via consumer protections, veterinary referrals and hands-on guidance to help ensure long-term pet health,” Moore says. “We’re also encouraging retailers to speak up and share their stories so consumers and policymakers can learn more about the rise in pet scams and our industry’s commitment to animal welfare.”