Protect Pet Choice in North Kingstown
The North Kingstown Town Council is considering an ordinance that would ban the retail sale or transfer of dogs and cats by pet stores and other commercial establishments in North Kingstown.
If passed, the ordinance would prohibit local businesses from displaying, offering for sale, delivering, bartering, auctioning, giving away, transferring, or selling dogs and cats. Businesses would only be permitted to provide space for dogs and cats from municipal shelters, animal control agencies, humane societies, and nonprofit rescue organizations for public adoption.
This ordinance would:
- Eliminate the retail sale of dogs and cats by regulated local businesses
- Restrict where North Kingstown families can purchase a dog or cat
- Limit commercial establishments to hosting shelter and rescue animals for adoption
- Impose penalties of up to $500 and/or up to 90 days of community service for violations, with each day potentially counting as a separate offense
North Kingstown should support responsible pet businesses and high standards of animal care without eliminating a regulated option for families seeking a pet.
Tell the North Kingstown Town Council to vote NO on the proposed retail pet sale ban and protect responsible pet choice in Rhode Island.