Residents voiced support for a new ordinance prohibiting the retail or public sale of cats and dogs within the city on Tuesday at the Greeley City Council Chambers on Tuesday.
The ordinance, which the council passed unanimously, aims to reduce sale opportunities for people who run puppy mills, also known as puppy farms. It was initially brought to the city at a resident’s request in June 2024.
Puppies from puppy mills reportedly have a higher chance of health problems and diseases, and residents who purchase dogs from puppy mills are often saddled with veterinary expenses and potentially a puppy that won’t survive into adulthood.
A group of Colorado residents, business owners, rescue groups and community leaders have been advocating for the elimination of the sale of puppies and kittens in pet stores and public spaces, referring to such policies as “Sammy’s Law” — named for a puppy that died just nine days after a woman bought him from a Fort Collins pet store.
Five advocates of Sammy’s Law were present at the meeting Tuesday, sharing Sammy’s story and information about the law and puppy mills with the council.
“Puppy mills are large-scale breeding operations that put profit over the well-being of animals,” Greeley resident and Sammy’s Law advocate Danielle Demateis said. “We’re urging you to pass Sammy’s Law. This ordinance is a proactive step to protect Greeley’s residents and animals alike and ensure that this city does not become a safe haven for puppy mills.”
The city council initially reviewed the ordinance in March when they instructed city staff to clarify some of the ordinance language regarding what kinds of breeders will still be allowed to operate in Greeley. The ordinance initially made allowances for hobby breeders and breeders who had fewer than two litters a year, but now the ordinance requires breeders to be licensed by the Pet Animal Care Facilities, or PACFA.
“PACFA is Colorado-specific, and there are high regulations that regulate breeders, and they’re good breeders because they have to follow these high standards,” Councilwoman Melissa McDonald said. “What we’re looking at eliminating is all those people coming in from Nebraska and Kansas that are not abiding by those standards and are bringing sick puppies to our residents.”
Though there are no retail stores in Greeley that sell puppies or kittens, the Greeley Police Department said it is common for people to bring puppies from out of state to sell in public spaces like the Centerplace shopping center, which they say is the typical practice for puppy mills.
The ordinance would not only fill a gap in enforcement against puppy mills, as the Greeley police currently do not have a viable method of determining whether a puppy came from a mill but would also protect residents from purchasing a pet that could have medical issues and promote cruel practices.
With the passage of this ordinance, retail stores or individuals found to be selling puppies or kittens in Greeley could be charged with a misdemeanor that could result in a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment of up to a year or both.
Councilman Dale Hall confirmed that retail stores will still be able to work with humane societies, animal shelters and animal rescue organizations to organize adoption events as long as they have a PACFA license.
The ordinance will go into effect Friday, April 11.
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