LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — While watching the Las Vegas Raiders football game, viewers saw a public service announcement to call city hall and ask them to pass an animal sale ban ordinance.
Rebecca Goff, state director for Humane World for Animals, said the PSA grabbed the attention of residents who are now taking action to pressure Las Vegas City Hall to pass stricter regulations on the “puppy mill to pet store pipeline.”
While watching the Las Vegas Raiders football game, viewers saw a public service announcement to call city hall and ask them to pass an animal sale ban ordinance. (KLAS)
“Currently, there are 13 pet stores in the city of Las Vegas alone, which is more than 37 other states,” Goff said. “And all of those pet stores source their puppies from puppy mills, mostly based out of the Midwest.”
The push for more regulations follows the death of “Cindy Lou,” a dog that Goff said died due to poor conditions.
“They told the store that she needed immediate medical attention, but it was it was too late,” she said. “By the time she arrived to the vet, there was nothing they could do to help her, and that was right before the 2025 legislative session began.”
The proposed state bill to ban the sale of pet puppies and kittens did not pass, but Goff said the effort has now transitioned to focus on municipalities.
During a Thursday press conference, Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley voiced support for the ordinance going for a vote in November.
“First of all, no new licenses issued, but there will be a ban in three years,” Berkley said. “So we’re giving the pet shops three years to figure out how they can stay open without selling dogs and cats.”
The ordinance is expected to be discussed by the Las Vegas City Council in November, according to Goff.