Despite a new City of Montreal bylaw prohibiting pet stores from selling pets from breeders, many stores are still doing so. Since July of 2019, pet stores in Montreal must technically source their pets from shelters such as the SPCA.
This finding was reported after a journalistic investigation by Radio-Canada.
One pet store owner told Radio-Canada he is intentionally breaking the law because he wouldn’t be able to sell adopted pets. Some are also concerned that the law was unfairly created due to bad hygiene practiced by a minority of stores.
Stores caught selling pets from breeders can face fines of up to $4,000. However, city officials have yet to carry out inspections.