CALGARY – Puppies and kittens will no longer be sold at one of Canada’s largest pet stores.
Petland says it will immediately begin phasing out the sale of the animals at its stores nationwide.
It says the decision “reflects the fundamental change in the way consumers are sourcing and purchasing puppies, resulting in a decrease of sales within pet stores.”
Some stores had already begun phasing out the sale of animals. Now, all Petland stores will be required to do so.
Petland CEO Robert Brissette says the decision was a tough one.
“Putting healthy and happy puppies into good homes has always been a core and proud part of our business, but we acknowledge the changes in the way people now shop for their pets,” he says in a statement.
Brissette partially attributes the decline to online shopping for animals on sites like Kijiji. He urges Canadians looking to add a pet to their family not to make the decision solely based on money, rather look for a seller who is responsibly preparing a healthy puppy.
Petland will continue its Adopt-a-Pet program and the Petland Pets for Life Foundation which finds homes for orphaned animals. It will also continue to work with animal rescues across Canada.
“Petland’s increased efforts to help adopt animals in need through store adoptions could make a significant contribution to ending animal homelessness in this city,” says Patricia Cameron, Executive Director of the Calgary Humane Society.
“As long as there are still animals without homes we encourage the public to adopt animals through pet stores that provide adoption space or through reputable breeders, shelters and rescue organizations.”
Calgary group “Actions Speak Louder than Words” has been pressuring pet stores like Petland to ban the sale of live animals to stop what they call impulse buying.
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