Lemon Grove Voters Approve Ban on Retail Bird Sales
Voters in Lemon Grove, California, have passed a ballot initiative banning the retail sale of birds, requiring stores to source birds only from shelters and rescue organizations.
On November 4, voters in Lemon Grove, California, approved Measure E, a citizen-led initiative that prohibits the retail sale of birds within city limits. Under the new ordinance, pet stores are permitted to offer birds for adoption only through animal shelters, humane societies, or non-profit rescue organizations. The ban will become fully enforceable in six months.
The initiative, championed by Strategic Action for Animals with support from World Animal Protection, passed with 65% of the vote. Proponents argue that the measure is necessary to end the reliance on large-scale commercial breeding facilities, which are often cited for poor animal welfare conditions, including overcrowding and neglect.
Liz Cabrera Holtz, senior campaigns manager at World Animal Protection, characterized the vote as a mandate against animal cruelty. The organization has previously published investigations into U.S.-based bird breeding facilities, documenting sanitary and welfare issues that they claim are symptomatic of the industry.
Lemon Grove now joins other U.S. jurisdictions, such as Washington D.C. and West Hollywood, in restricting the retail trade of animals. The ordinance represents a shift in local policy regarding the sourcing of pets in commercial retail environments.