San Francisco hits nerves with pet sale ban idea

SAN FRANCISCO — The idea of banning pet sales in San Francisco started simply enough, with a proposal to outlaw puppy and kitten mills.

But the proposed ban on puppy and kitten mills became a proposed ban on the sale of just about every animal that might end up in a shelter: gerbils, guinea pigs, birds, hamsters, turtles, snakes, rats. Sales of rabbits and chicks are already banned in the city.

The idea led to the San Francisco Commission of Animal Control & Welfare’s biggest, longest monthly meeting in recent memory, not to mention blogger fodder around the world.

The commission, overwhelmed with varying opinions, voted not to vote, tabling the debate until at least another month.