Lafayette City Council Hearing
Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 5:30 pm
The city of Lafayette, Colorado will be hearing a proposal tomorrow that would ban all retail sales of dogs from private in-home breeders, commercial breeders and pet stores. If passed, it would leave shelters and rescues as the only available source of dogs.
You can read the ordinance here: and scroll to page 50.
In addition to the huge negative consequences this ordinance would cause, it is particularly frustrating to see that the ordinance relies on information from sources that are known to present false and misleading information.
There are two major reasons given for needing this ordinance; 1) that shelters and rescues are a more humane source for dogs than dogs produced by breeders, in some cases described as puppy mills, and 2) that there is a dog overpopulation problem such that the breeding of any new dogs is harmful.
Both claims are not just wrong but exactly the opposite of reality. Colorado’s Pet Animal Care Facility Act inspection reports show the overwhelming number of problems associated with inhumane and irresponsible treatment of dogs and consumers are found today in rescues and shelters not in the regulated large kennels or the small, in-home private kennels of AKC enthusiasts, or in pet stores.
In addition, Colorado has such a dog shortage that more than 30,000 dogs are imported each year into Colorado rescues and shelters just to meet consumer demand.
It is disappointing that any government body would consider a law forcing its citizens to give up a regulated, guaranteed, and health-tested source of family dogs for dogs that are poorly regulated and often of unknown origin.
To read our letter for additional talking points, please click here.
It’s important for people representing the groups banned by this ordinance to contact the city council to oppose the ordinance and let them know the husbandry practices you follow to assure the health and welfare of your dogs and good outcomes for the families who want them.
To submit a comment, click here:
You can call in remotely by calling toll-free at 1-877-853-5247
• You will be asked for the meeting number: 869 1163 2580
• Press # after entering the number
• Press *9 to raise your hand to speak during Public Input. When it is your turn to speak, your microphone will be unmuted and you will be asked to share your comments.
MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD
National Animal Interest Alliance
PO Box 66579
Portland, Oregon 97290-6579
(503)761-8962
(503)227-8450
naia@naiaonline.org
