My neighbourhood has recently announced a new ban on retail pet stores. The ones already in place may keep doing business as usual, but any new business that would like to open up is prohibited from selling pets. This is amazing. As a city on a relatively small island, it is ridiculous to think that approximately 50 000 animals are abandoned each year. My neighbourhood--which is a slight 14 km squared (5 miles) and is home to about 131 000 people--is responsible for a whopping 9000 of those pets. The amount of strays roaming around is terrible. The shelters/SPCA do their very best, but there's only so much that they can do; their resources are limited. They need people to adopt.

This bylaw is a step in the right direction, however I do believe that for a real change to happen, the entire city needs to follow suit. The borough's upping its game next year by requiring cat and dog sterilization. This may help, but it also may be a cause for further abandonment since there are a lot of people here that either (1) cannot afford the 200$ fee or (2) do not feel animals are worth the 200$ fee.

Almost every day I see an animal I'd like to save -- but I'm not about to become that crazy cat lady. I am proud to say, though, that none of my cats were purchased from pet stores. Jack was from a friend's cat's litter; Owen I adopted from the SPCA; and Buddie came in through our window about a year and a half ago and never left. We chased her out the first time, but she couldn't resist that food and we couldn't resist those big, pleading eyes.

I'm even starting to realize how I don't particularly like the fish situation either. It's not the greatest. Right now I'm not looking for any more fish, but when I am I'll actually look around for people that know what they're doing. I don't want to put down all pet stores -- I'm sure there's some great ones that buy, care for and sell responsibly. (I even hear there's one out on the south shore. People rave about the fish out there. Unfortunately, it's a little far for me to just check out on a whim.) For the most part, however, I think they are simply businesses.

That's my little rant for the evening. I'd love to hear all of your input, including suggestions and/or community bylaws/movements/trends that have helped similar situations in your area.

I run a rescue, and I don't think that's the right way to handle things. Not that I have a way to fix it, but that sort of ban isn't going to do anything except move business out of the township, or online.

A little different but let me give an example. My friend has a house in Wildwood Crest, NJ. The township there bans all liquor and beer stores from operating in the township. They're a fairly small township, about the size yours is. You know what's sitting right across the street in the township over? If memory servers there's liquor stores and bars bordering on three sides and if there wasn't that pesky ocean in the way I'd bet it would be all four.

While I don't think it will come to such an extreme with pet stores, if there's enough market demand someone will find a loophole.

Now as far as private owners are concerned unless something is drastically different in Canada, laws like that are seriously unenforceable. Are they going to come in and check your house cats to make sure they're done? Would you want them too? I know I sure wouldn't. Never mind it not being fair to the responsible breeders out there.

I may be a bit jaded and cynical over things like this considering some of the things we have had to deal with not only from the scuzzy things people have done to animals but the differently scuzzy things other people do via regulations and when there's money involved. Especially when there's money involved.

The other thing I'm curious about, and don't know since it's Canada, is if it's an election year for someone?

No, not election time yet. Apparently the issue arose from the coming to light of the euthanasia methods some of these shelters employ. The spotlight was on one place in particular that has so many animals that they were just going out the back as fast as they were coming in. And of course they weren't using standard procedures and it caused a bit of an outburst. It is possible they decided taking action would win them points, regardless of how effective the action is.

How they would enforce sterilization? I have no idea. The market is way too big to control something like that. We'll see how it plays out.

As far as what people are capable of, ... I read about Colossus the other day. Some people don't even need money or regulations as incentive. Whether it stems from culture differences or just plain immaturity, they are just plain cruel. Even my grandmother has some pretty twisted views on what animals are for. BTW, do you get any updates on that big fella?

All in all, I don't think we can change the city by next year, no matter how many laws they enforce. Ultimately I think it's a matter of creating awareness and doing my part. Maybe someone will be motivated by my example and follow suit. If enough people get involved, we may start to see some interesting changes. It makes me think of recycling.

So how is that the fault of any new petstore that would want to open up? The animal shelter isn't being responsible. If anything it sounds like some policies on proper euthanasia procedures are needed.

I'm assuming the enforced sterilization law would be one that they can have as a backup when dealing with problem people. Like if they find a puppy mill or something along those lines.

Colossus? He hasn't gone anywhere. He's hanging out in his kiddy pool indoors now since it's cold out. People are scared of him and well snapping turtles in general. Not like they don't have good reason, snappers aren't something I'd want to accidentally mess with.

You hit it on the head. The place is currently under investigation, and there are numerous petitions against it. The major issue is that it's a for-profit organization (currently contracted by the city) that benefits from over population and doesn't spay/neuter animals up for adoption. Reporters have gone in undercover, complaints have been made, lawsuits have been won-- for a variety of reasons: they don't check for micro chips, do not post animals online, refuse telephone identification, and are inconveniently located for anyone who doesn't have a car. Add to the fact that they euthanize generally within 3 days. Unfortunately the city's boroughs keep renewing their contracts because there isn't much competition with regards to old fashioned animal control. Places like the SPCA who actually have the animals' best interests at heart, are using preventative measures -- such as raising awareness, requiring sterilization, classes, workshops, volunteer opportunities... The list goes on. They have up to date websites listing almost every found animal along with pictures; send emails featuring a few animals up for adoption each week, and provide low cost vet services for the first year after adoption. But they have absolutely no government funding and rely solely on donations and the support of volunteers.

The contracts are up for renewal in April, so we'll see what happens. I doubt they will be renewed because we're NDP right now for the first time in Quebecois history. The NDP are for the people (animals in this case). I'm confident that they'll look to support other ways in order to stave off abandonment and over population. Their first move was banning pet shops, which may not be the golden ticket. But it at least shows that they've acknowledged the problem and are willing to act -- something which hasn't been done before with our Let's-focus-on-becoming-our-own-country-ruin-our-economy-and-forbid-people-from-speaking-English idiots.

As for Colossus, it's incredible what you did along with your colleague. I'm happy you posted it. Not only was it interesting, but it's great to know people like you are out there who not only care enough to go through the actions but have the expertise to do it.

My cat Jack got bitten by a dog last year. He had four holes in his head as big as the tip of my pinky. He stayed in the closet for a long time, occasionally sticking his head out to drink some water and eventually he started eating again. We didn't know if he would make it but here we are a year later and he's the healthiest of the bunch. 9 lives.