It will be illegal for Bloomington pet shops to sell cats and dogs beginning January 2023.
Bloomington City Council adopted Ordinance 21-45 Wednesday night, which directly impacts Anthony’s Pets in College Mall and Delilah’s Pet Shop on West Third Street. For each violation, the animal care and control department could fine shops $500.
Councilmember Susan Sandberg co-sponsored the legislation and says it is an attempt to eliminate puppy mill customers, not an attempt to limit individual choices when choosing a dog or cat.
“This ordinance will not prevent anyone from working with a breeder for a specific type of dog they wish to purchase,” she said.
The ordinance was not adopted without pushback from the two effected shops’ owners during council’s Nov. 17 meeting.
READ MORE: Bloomington considers banning cat and dog sales at pet stores
“Anything you do like this is going to be controversial,” Sandberg said. “But the vast majority of people who have certainly reached out to us and urged us to initiate this, certainly think the time is now.”
Samantha Morton is Indiana state director at the Humane Society of the United States. She said it is typical to see municipalities allow six to 12 months for local pet shops to adopt new business models.
“Businesses that especially offer grooming services, nutrition, counseling, food and supplies, have a much easier time transitioning their model,” she said. “We know that business model is successful.”
Large stores including PetSmart and Petco already prohibit the sale of cats and dogs under corporate policies. However, T&T Pet Food on South Walnut Street offered a local perspective during the public comment section of council’s meeting.
“We exist solely on the revenue of pet food sales, pet supplies, and some wild bird products,” store manager Sara Howell said.
Howell said more than 400 brands of cat and dog food are in distribution, and her store is unable to carry them all. Yet, T&T often receives calls about products it does not sell.
“I can confidently say pet parents are more brand and size specific than human parents,” she said. “There is still a large market availability for pet food and supplies in Bloomington.”
Council adopted the ordinance 8-0. Councilmember Matt Flaherty was absent.
This story has been updated.
