ArcaMax

The pet superstores like Petco, PETsMART and Pet Supplies Plus, get it right. They offer animals from local rescue groups, shelters and/or animal control agencies. The non-profits are responsible for adoptions at the stores. Simultaneously, the pet shops sell accessories -- leashes, collars, pet food, hay for rabbits, cat litter, toys, etc.

The argument that small, individually owned pet stores can't follow the same humane model is rubbish. In fact, most pet stores these days don't sell dogs, cats or rabbits.

According to the 2013-2014 American Pet Product Association Pet Owners Survey, only three percent of dogs are purchased from pet stores, but that still represents thousands of animals. Only one percent of cats are purchased from pet stores, and only seven percent of rabbits, according to the survey.

Even with increased public education about the origins of animals sold in pet stores, people continue to buy them, often saying they feel sorry for "the poor animals," not realizing that their purchases keep unscrupulous breeders in business.

Certainly, it is hard to resist "that doggie in the window." We've bred dogs for thousands of years with Neoteny tendencies -- big round eyes, large foreheads and other appealing characteristics. Such characteristics are similar to those of human babies. And as with human babies, we're hard-wired to respond; hormones like oxytocin make us feel warm and fuzzy when we spy a puppy.

Opponents of the bans suggest that preventing pet stores from selling dogs, cats and rabbits will only send more people to the Internet. True enough. But on the Internet, shoppers have to proactively search for the pet they want, eliminating impulse buying. And just maybe they'll land at petfinder.com or another site with adoptable animals.

Last fall, changes in the Animal Welfare Act mandated restrictions on selling animals online, so it's not as easy as it once was. There will almost certainly be future restrictions.

While it's true that even cities the size of Chicago, Los Angeles and Phoenix can't alone close down all puppy mills and unscrupulous breeding facilities, the more cities that pile on, the better. The hope is that if demand dissipates, so will supply. Meanwhile, pet adoptions may rise, and puppy mill breeding decline.

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Steve Dale welcomes questions/comments from readers. Although he can't answer all of them individually, he'll answer those of general interest in his column Send e-mail to PETWORLD(at)STEVE DALE.TV. Include your name, city and state. Steve's website is www.stevedalepetworld.com; he also hosts the nationally syndicated "Steve Dale's Pet World" and "The Pet Minute." He's also a contributing editor to USA Weekend.

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