New calls to shut down pet shops, retail animal sales

Animal protectors are calling for a ban on the sale of animals in pet shops, garden centers and over the internet in order to avoid impulse buys. "Children and adults are misled by the cute little faces and only later discover that an animal takes time, space and energy", Steffie van Horck of the Queen Sophia Association for the Protection of Animals said to Metro. According to the association, impulse pet purchases lead to people killing unwanted animals at home and shelters overflowing with discarded animals. A ban against killing a dog or cat at home was implemented in July 2014. But no ban exists for other pets, like rabbits, rodents and birds. Pet owners are allowed to kill these pets themselves, provided that it is done painlessly. Banning animal sales at pet shops and other retail spaces will help prevent this problem, the association believes.