UPDATE 6/20/23:Â The ordinance passed. Only two people spoke in opposition (USARK and one local pet owner) while several spoke in support including four people from a single animal rights group. One Council member mentioned that almost every local person who sent emails supported the ban.
Directions for speaking on June 20:Â Call 877-853-5247 or 888-788-0099, then enter Meeting ID 942 1273 2148. This is agenda item is PH-3 and is halfway through the meeting. When this agenda item is announced, press star 9 (this “raises your hand” in the queue). When you hear a tone, press star 6 to speak.
Ann Arbor has proposed a ban on the retail sales of certain animals. The public hearing is Tuesday, June 20 at 7:00 PM at Larcom City Hall, 301 E Huron St., Second floor, City Council Chambers. The meeting will be live online at a2gov.org/watchCTN. To sign up for public comment, call the City Clerk’s Office between 8 am – 5 pm at 734-794-6140 on the meeting day (June 20). Speakers will get three minutes. Public commentary can be made in person or by calling 877-853-5247 or 888-788-0099, then enter Meeting ID 942 1273 2148. This topic is a bit later than halfway through the agenda. It is agenda item PH-3, ordinance number ORD-23-18 titled “humane pet acquisition.”
The proposal would ban the sale of the animals listed below at pet stores and any location other than where the animal was bred (i.e. parking lot, outdoor special sale, swap meet, flea market, reptile show, or other similar event).
1. Large reptiles: Members of the class reptilian including, but not limited to, monitor lizards, alligators, pythons, boa constrictors, venomous reptiles, and constrictor snakes that grow to more than 72 inches long. NOTE: This definition includes “including, but not limited to” which means the definition is open to interpretation by each enforcement officer and could include animals not listed.
2. Long-lived birds: Any bird whose life expectancy is expected to exceed 25 years, including, but not limited to, cockatoos, macaws, and amazons.
3. dogs.
4. cats.
5. ferrets.
6. rabbits.
The proposal also requires a pet store to provide a “Certificate of Origin” before selling any animal. Existing pet stores may continue to display and offer for sale dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, long-lived birds, or large reptiles for one year after the effective date of this ordinance. The fine is up to $500 per violation and per day.
This ordinance does not apply to a person or business entity that offers for sale dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, long-lived birds, or large reptiles that were bred and reared on the premises of the person or business entity.
Read the draft at https://a2gov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=12079183&GUID=778F4913-B7D0-4DA5-BD40-3DCB193B8A56.
The June 20 agenda is posted at http://a2gov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1062175&GUID=12D68442-3C05-49C4-B7C4-BA812403BD29.
Find City Council phone numbers and Ward assignments at https://www.a2gov.org/departments/city-council/Pages/Home.aspx.
Sample Letter and more
Remember to be civil and professional at all times!
While opposition from everyone is appreciated, the City Council needs to hear from Ann Arbor residents! Opposition from outside Ann Arbor (except for organizations) will likely be ignored.
Email list: CTaylor@a2gov.org, LDisch@a2gov.org, CHarrison@a2gov.org, LSong@a2gov.org, CWatson@a2gov.org, TRadina@a2gov.org, AGhaziEdwin@a2gov.org, JEyer@a2gov.org, DAkmon@a2gov.org, EBriggs@a2gov.org, JCornell@a2gov.org, kreynolds@a2gov.org
Subject line: No to ordinance animal sales ban, ORD-23-18
Ann Arbor Mayor Taylor and City Council Members,
As an animal welfare advocate, pet owner, and Ann Arbor resident, I oppose the proposed animal sales ban, ORD-23-18 with the misleading title “Humane Pet Acquisition.” The proposal makes the claim that animals cannot be humanely kept and sold at pet stores or specialty animal shows. It makes far more sense to focus on sub-standard pet stores and animal sellers instead of this collective punishment that makes everyone guilty, thus punishing good citizens instead of just the bad actors.
While well-intended, this ordinance goes too far. We need to focus on actual animal welfare and animal cruelty crimes. We should be punishing people who are actually criminals and not every person who is responsibly selling animals. Thank you and have a good day.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME
