LOS ANGELES (KCAL/KCBS/CNN) - A group of animal advocates showed off just a few of the 800,000 animals taken in by California rescue shelters each year, half of which are euthanized. They say they believe a new law, SB 485, will save lives.
California is now the first state in the nation to prohibit pet stores from selling dogs, cats or rabbits unless the animals are rescues. That means no mill-bred animals at all.
Starting in 2019, stores would face $500 fines for each animal sold that isn’t from a shelter or rescue group.
Andrew Kim has 11 Healthy Spot Stores that already operate that way. He said it’s not only the humane choice, but one that has proven financially savvy.
“People’s consciousness are growing and people are more compassionate and they want to support businesses with their dollars about something they believe in and care about deeply,” Kim said.
That is what led Maggie Vlahovic and her husband to adopt Sherlock in August. She said they took the phrase “adopt, don’t shop,” to heart and have been rewarded.
“He’s helping us with losing our little dog that we had before, and we’re helping him,” Vlahovic said of her new pet. “So it’s a beautiful thing.”
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