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David Carr explains his vote on pet shop legislation

0:25:59

·

94 sec

Council Member David Carr explains his vote on Intro 1018-A, which bans the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet shops. He expresses mixed feelings about the legislation, acknowledging the importance of pet adoption while also expressing concern for responsible pet shop owners.

  • Carr commends Council Member Brewer on the passage of her legislation addressing quality of life issues.
  • He shares his personal experience as a cat owner, with two cats from breeders and one adopted.
  • Carr states he will vote no on Intro 1018-A out of concern for responsible pet shop owners, despite supporting the intent of the legislation.
David Carr
0:25:59
Permission to explain my vote?
Amanda Farías
0:26:01
Permission granted.
David Carr
0:26:02
Thank you, majority leader.
0:26:03
I just wanna first, commend council member Brewer on the passage of her very important legislation.
0:26:08
This is a problem that's been affecting the quality of life of neighborhoods across the 5 boroughs, and I'm proud to cosponsor it and support it today.
0:26:16
With respect to intro 1018, the, pet sale ban bill, which is aligning us with a state law that comes into effect this coming month, you know, I have mixed feelings.
0:26:26
You know, I've never in my life was, for a long time, a pet person, and I think most people know what I mean by that phrase.
0:26:32
You know, you ask someone how their family is and they show you a picture of their dog or their cat, even if they have kids.
0:26:39
And I always swore I would never be one of those people, and then I met my husband, Don, and I became the proud cat dad of 3 cats.
0:26:48
And 2 were bought from breeders.
0:26:51
I'll I'll concede, and one was adopted.
0:26:54
And I would, in future, tell any responsible pet owner that they should get their pets through an adoption agency.
0:26:59
I think that is the ethical and responsible thing to do.
0:27:04
However, there are pet shops that are not fronts for puppy mills.
0:27:08
I know that there are many that are, and I hate the idea of punishing responsible pet shop owners, because of a bunch of bad apples.
0:27:15
So I respect, the intent of the legislation and and the fact that this is happening whether we do it or not, but symbolically, I can't send a message to these responsible business owners that their business should be shuttered if they can't support themselves without pet sales.
0:27:30
So I'll be voting no on intro 10 18 a, and eye on the rest.
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