Animal welfare group urges Horsham Township to ban retail sales of dogs, cats and rabbits

Horsham Township Council heard a presentation at its February meeting from an animal rights advocacy group urging officials to adopt an ordinance that would prohibit the retail sale of dogs, cats and rabbits within township pet stores.

The proposal was presented by representatives of Revolution Philadelphia, who said the measure is intended to prevent future pet store sales connected to commercial breeding operations commonly known as puppy mills.

Stephanie Carson, a public school teacher and animal advocate speaking on behalf of the group, told council members the ordinance would serve as a proactive step to promote humane treatment of animals while protecting consumers.

“Horsham currently has no pet stores selling puppies,” Carson said, adding that adopting the ordinance now would help prevent such businesses from opening in the future.

Ariel Lefkovits, a puppy mills policy specialist with Humane World for Animals, provided additional background during the presentation, telling Horsham officials that thousands of puppies continue to be shipped into Pennsylvania pet shops each year from large-scale breeding facilities that prioritize profit over animal welfare.

"They key purpose of ordinances like this is to protect puppies and people from the puppy mill to pet shop pipeline," Lefkovits said.

There are 15 municipalities in Pennsylvania that have enacted similar ordinances, according to the presenters. West Norriton Township and Abington Township have already adopted similar measures. 

Horsham officials raised concerns about whether the proposed ordinance would impact local or small-scale breeders, but presenters said the measure would not apply to them.

Under the proposed ordinance:

• Retail pet stores would be prohibited from selling dogs, cats, or rabbits.
• Animal shelters, rescues, and adoption events hosted at pet stores would still be allowed.
• Responsible breeders and private individual sales would not be affected.
  
  

The ordinance would be incorporated into township zoning regulations, allowing pet stores to operate while restricting the sale of specified animals.

Horsham is currently undertaking a comprehensive zoning code rewrite expected to take approximately two years, though Council President Samantha Slaff said the ordinance could be adopted sooner if council chooses to fast-track it.

"It could be conceivable that maybe something like this could be adopted sooner than the full zoning rewrite," Slaff said. 

Council members did not take formal action, but expressed openness to reviewing draft language and potentially directing township staff to prepare an ordinance for future consideration.

The issue is expected to return to council for further discussion at a later meeting.