Straight Talk

NPA council candidate Jason Lamarche wants dog sales banned at Vancouver pet stores

by Stephen Hui on October 3rd, 2011 at 11:50 AM
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      Jason Lamarche says, "Vancouver needs to do more to protect animal rights."

      A banker who lives in the West End, Lamarche is running for city council with the Non-Partisan Association.

      Lamarche put forward today (October 3) a proposal to ban the sale of dogs in Vancouver pet stores.

      The candidate argues such a ban would help fight puppy mills, cut down on impulse dog purchases, and promote the adoption of shelter animals.

      “Purchasing a dog deserves more consideration than a new pair of jeans. Pet stores that sell dogs rely on impulse purchases, and that’s an irresponsible way to sell an animal," Lamarche said in an NPA news release.

      The release notes that the cities of Richmond and Toronto have recently passed bylaws to this effect.

      Lamarche has set up a Facebook page in support of banning dog sales in Vancouver.

      He also wants to go further by banning advertising the sale of dogs in newspapers and online.

      You can follow Stephen Hui on Facebook and Twitter.

      Comments

      15 Comments

      Jason Lamarche

      Oct 3, 2011 at 12:33pm

      Thank you so much for covering this important issue. There are over 100,000 dogs in Vancouver and we need to promote responsible dog ownership by encouraging adoption from shelters and combating puppy mills.

      They say every politician has their "pet" project, well this one is mine ; )

      http://www.jasonlamarche.ca/archives/638

      Ivy F

      Oct 3, 2011 at 12:43pm

      How exactly is even a good breeder supposed to sell a dog to a decent home if they can't list online or in newspapers.

      Don't punish good breeders who take the time to screen homes for these dogs and provide follow up.

      Wondering if this isn't all motivated by a desire to reduce dogs in YVR (or legitimate sales of dogs and start a black market)

      Anise Shaw

      Oct 3, 2011 at 1:21pm

      I was so happy when they passed this in Richmond, and I will be even happier when they pass it in Vancouver.

      Dogs live for a long time and require a lot of care and love. Buying a puppy because "it's cute" is ridiculous and should not be encouraged. Puppies grow up quickly and then you have an adult dog for 12-20 years.

      Dog ownership is rewarding. You get a companion, a little creature that you can help raise and develop a relationship with. My family adopted our dog when I was 12 years old and I spent my formative teenage years helping to raise her. Now she's 14 years old and one of my greatest friends, but it might not have worked out so great if my parents just bought a "cute" breed rather than looking around for a dog that suited us. I'm almost heartbroken in thinking that a poor dog would lose it's home after their cute value was grown out of.

      asdfe

      Oct 3, 2011 at 1:40pm

      OH MY GOD. THIS IS INSANE.
      VANCOUVER IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE CITY IN THE WORLD AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PET STORES.

      The NPA will do nothing about the fact that incomes and housing prices aren't anywhere near eachother. I can't afford a dog.

      Mathew

      Oct 3, 2011 at 1:57pm

      I'm a dog owner. I love my dog very much, and am active and passionate about dog/pet advocacy issues. I personally don't think dogs should be sold in stores.

      That being said, is this really the most important issue the NPA can come up with? Seriously? Come on.

      cranky mom

      Oct 3, 2011 at 2:02pm

      No kittens in pet stores either! Adopt, don't buy your pet!

      Birdy

      Oct 3, 2011 at 2:05pm

      Good work NPA, first with the shark fin soup bullshit, and now you present us a BANKER WITH AN ANTI-PUPPY AGENDA?

      Yet you guys love bitching about Vision's "pet projects"

      Stephen K

      Oct 3, 2011 at 3:44pm

      Vision supporter here. You still don't have my vote Ken, but kudos to you for this position.

      Taylor Verrall

      Oct 3, 2011 at 6:04pm

      Allow me to stand up for Jason as a good personal friend. He has a dog named Cletus, I don't think I've ever seen him without him. He's the organizer of the West End Dog Show. I can say first hand that this has nothing to do with the NPA, Vision Vancouver (I'm a Vision supporter), COPE or the GPV and has everything to do with simply believing that dogs should not be sold in pet stores.

      Rabbitats

      Oct 4, 2011 at 5:18am

      I think rabbits and other small animals are greatly in need of similar protection, there are already colonies of feral rabbits everywhere, although I'd like to see a detailed plan and not a blanket ban. Pets are a 'money' issue. As the economy worsens, so will the instances of abandoned pets. Even more of a pet issue is affordable, pet-friendly housing. With hardly any rental landlords currently allowing pets, people downsizing will be putting a huge strain on animal control budgets in the near future. I suggest that all candidates give this a closer look.