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ANIMAL WATCH - At its meeting on September 30, the Tarzana Neighborhood Council unanimously passed a resolution to address unregulated online pet sales. These pet sales contribute to the overcrowding crisis we have at the animal shelters. Each year, backyard breeders and puppy mills post millions of ads online. Most of the animals sold are not spayed or neutered, and many eventually end up in our shelters. In fact, about three out of four shelter intakes are unaltered animals.
Websites, social media platforms, and transport companies are enabling this market. They profit from ads and shipments but currently face no accountability when animals end up in shelters or families are defrauded. Families are often misled by fraudulent ads, paying for animals that arrive sick or never arrive at all.
The Fair Pet Foundation has proposed legislation that tackles the choke points—advertising and transport. Basically, sellers would be required to register in a statewide database, provide ID, tax compliance, and veterinary certificates, and platforms would be prohibited from running ads unless all requirements are met. Airlines and carriers would also be barred from shipping animals from unregistered sellers. Penalties would apply to platforms and carriers that ignore the rules.
The benefits are substantial: fewer animals sold unaltered, fewer entering shelters, reduced euthanasia for lack of space at the shelters, a level playing field for responsible sellers who already comply with the law, and protection for the buyers. Importantly, this system will be self-funded by seller fees collected during registration and does not rely on taxpayer-funded raids or new enforcement agencies.
The resolution passed by the Tarzana Neighborhood Council urges the Los Angeles City Council to support state legislation to curb illegal and inhumane online sales, hold platforms and carriers accountable, and relieve pressure on our shelters. Ultimately, this is about protecting families, taxpayers, and—most importantly—companion animals.
The resolution passed by the Tarzana Neighborhood Council is as follows:
“Resolved: The Tarzana Neighborhood Council Board adopts the Executive Committee’s recommendation to pass the following recommendation:
WHEREAS, unregulated online pet sales fuel a shadow market that contributes to shelter overcrowding, consumer fraud, and animal suffering; and
WHEREAS, California shelters are experiencing crisis-level intake and elevated euthanasia rates, placing unsustainable burdens on local governments, taxpayers, and nonprofit rescue organizations; and
WHEREAS, families are routinely misled by fraudulent online ads, resulting in financial loss, emotional distress, and public health and safety risks; and
WHEREAS, websites, print publications, airlines, and ground transportation companies facilitate and profit from the sale and shipment of animals without adequately ensuring compliance with humane standards and applicable law; and
WHEREAS, the Fair Pet Foundation has proposed legislation to hold online platforms, advertisers, and carriers accountable for compliance, including meaningful penalties for violations, in order to disrupt the pipeline that enables backyard breeders, puppy mills, and illegal sellers; and
WHEREAS, certain forms of private enforcement by qualified animal-welfare organizations have been recognized in California law, and a carefully designed framework could enhance compliance while minimizing costs to taxpayers; and
WHEREAS, stronger oversight of online pet sales and transport may reduce shelter intake and save the lives of companion animals;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Tarzana Neighborhood Council recognizes the urgent need for stronger protections for companion animals and consumers, and supports measures to:
1. curb illegal and inhumane online pet sales;
2. require platforms and carriers to verify compliance with applicable laws and humane standards;
3. impose meaningful penalties for violations; and
4. relieve pressure on municipal shelters and rescue partners.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Tarzana Neighborhood Council urges the Los Angeles City Council to introduce and adopt a resolution requesting the state legislature to enact legislation to combat illegal and inhumane online pet sales and the platforms and carriers that enable them, including options for responsible private enforcement by qualified nonprofits with appropriate safeguards.”
The Fair Pet Foundation’s website is: https://fairpetfoundation.org/. John Ross is Founder and Director; Carolyn Coradeschi is Vice President.
(Jeffrey Mausner (www.mausnerlaw.com/) is on the Executive Committee of the Valley Alliance of Neighborhood Councils (VANC) where he serves as the Liaison to the Los Angeles Animal Services Department; he is 2nd Vice President of the Tarzana Neighborhood Council and Chair of its Animal Welfare Committee. He also volunteers at the West Valley Animal Shelter. A retired attorney, law professor, and former U.S. Justice Department Federal Prosecutor, Jeff has received numerous awards, including the 2023 Guardian of the Animals Award and a 2024 Special Commendation from the California Legislature. He co-founded the Global Anti-Dog Meat Coalition. This article is written in his private individual capacity, not on behalf of the Animal Services Department.)
