Elizabethtown ordinance bans stores from selling dogs and cats

The City of Elizabethtown has implemented a new Pet Stores Ordinance that aims to encourage people to consider adoption first, becoming the first town in Kentucky to do so.

The Humane Pet Store Ordinance prohibits retail stores from selling dogs or cats of any age in their stores. It also prohibits people from selling dogs or cats of any age in public spaces, such as parking lots or flea markets.

Elizabethtown City Councilor Julia Springsteen said Monday, after the ordinance was passed, that it was all part of a larger effort to encourage people to adopt, have their pets sterilized and to eliminate a point of sale for backyard breeders and puppy and kitten factories.

“This ordinance encourages people to look to adoption first and does not impact responsible breeders. We want our county animal control officers to have the tools they need to combat animal abuse, ”Springsteen said in a statement.

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According to the ordinance, animal shelters or non-profit animal rescue groups can still hold adoption events in public common areas.

Pet stores or commercial establishments may work with an animal shelter or nonprofit animal rescue organization to present dogs or cats for adoption.

In a Facebook post, Springsteen said passing the ordinance makes Elizabethtown the 400th municipality to do so in the United States.

More information about the city of Elizabethtown can be found online.