DeKalb County Takes Action Against Unregulated Pet Sales

Board of Commissioners Approves Ban on Outdoor Sales of Dogs, Cats, and Rabbits

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance banning the transient and outdoor sales of dogs, cats, and domestic rabbits in unincorporated DeKalb County. This significant legislation aims to reduce pet overpopulation and curtail unregulated pet sales that often result in the mistreatment and neglect of animals.

Andrea Seidl of Advocates for DeKalb Animals expressed support, saying, “We are very pleased to see the passage of this Companion Animal Transient Sales legislation. This is an important step toward addressing the many instances of animals being sold on streets and in parking lots in DeKalb County, often without water and care, and many of these animals eventually end up in our overcrowded animal shelter. We are thankful to Commissioner Michelle Long Spears for championing this cause for animal welfare.”

The ordinance was spearheaded by Commissioner Michelle Long Spears, who stated, “This legislation is a vital step in safeguarding our community from the harm caused by irresponsible pet sales. It will reduce the strain on our shelters, prevent unnecessary suffering, and protect residents who unknowingly purchase sick animals. We are also currently working on an update of the tethering ordinance and a retail sales ban.”

The ordinance prohibits the sale of pets in transient outdoor locations such as parking lots, roadsides, and flea markets. This effort seeks to eliminate irresponsible breeding practices and reduce overcrowding in shelters, which currently operate beyond capacity.

Unregulated pet sales have long posed a problem in DeKalb County. These transactions often lack oversight, leading to unhealthy animals being sold without health records. By banning these sales, the ordinance will ease the burden on shelters, protect consumers from sick animals, and alleviate the financial strain on nonprofits and taxpayers.

LifeLine Animal Project, DeKalb County Animal Services shelter, regularly operates over capacity, resulting in weekly euthanasia to manage space. Transient sales often involve unhealthy pets sold without proper documentation, burdening consumers with unexpected veterinary bills. Other Georgia counties such as Fulton, Forsyth, and Athens-Clarke have passed similar bans with successful outcomes.

Peggy McCarthey, Ph.D., board member for the Georgia Pet Coalition, highlighted the importance of this new measure: “This ordinance is one of the GA Pet Coalition's priority policies, and we are deeply grateful to Commissioner Long Spears and the Board of Commissioners for their moral leadership and recognition of the cumulative harm caused by illicit breeders. These breeders often use unregulated locations to evade taxes and licensing laws, placing profit over animal welfare.”

Lisa Milot, Annie & Zack Stanton Distinguished Professor of Canine Welfare Law at the University of Georgia School of Law, added, “We are in the midst of an extreme animal shelter crisis in Georgia, and the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners are providing valuable leadership in acting to curtail unethical and unregulated pet sales in parking lots. These pets often end up being cared for or euthanized at public expense when they are no longer wanted or become sick.”

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners urges other municipalities within the county to consider adopting similar ordinances to address this issue collectively.