LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Metro council members passed a city ordinance last September that will soon make it illegal for pet stores to sell dogs and cats within the city by the following year.
But now, Senate Bill 157 is making its way through Frankfort and could overturn that ordinance before it even takes effect.
SB 157 will support these retail stores by making it law that no county, municipality, or any of their agencies shall adopt or enforce a rule, regulation, code, or ordinance that prohibits a retail pet shop from operating.
The founder of Kentucky Animal Action, Mychell Lawson, said this bill contradicts the state's values.
"SB 157 would take away the decision making and it's particularly interesting," Lawson said. "Because the Kentucky super majority is pro-decision making to the local municipality at the local and county level."
This bill would overrule Metro Council's ordinance which will only let people buy dogs or cats from a rescue, shelter, or breeder who sells directly to the public.
Karen Jenkins, regional manager of Puppygram Louisville, said she opposes the ordinance because it also restricts consumers.
"It will take away the right people ought to have to be able to choose how they obtain their pets or forever fur babies," Jenkins said. "It eliminates law abiding businesses."
Lawson said she and her organization noticed that last year's loss of the Louisville Metro Animal Shelter's "no-kill" status is showcasing in overpopulation within animal shelters.
"We kind of got to a place where we were figuring things out and how to deal with overpopulation the best we could," Lawson said. "And now it's just, the cards are stacked against us. The numbers are just overwhelming for everyone involved. I would say COVID-19 probably rolled us backwards about two decades for animal welfare."
Jenkins said Puppygram Louisville doesn't sell their animals spayed or neutered because they don't want to restrict the rights owners have of breeding their pet.
"A lot of people say, you know, in remarks to us 'adopt, don't shop,'" Jenkins said. "Well, they are adopting from us because they are going to become their forever family, but adopting from a local shelter isn't always a fit for everyone."
The bill in Frankfort is in the early stages but could soon shape the future of how consumers adopt pets.
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