A proposal to stop pet stores in Seminole County from selling rabbits got its first airing before county commissioners on Tuesday, Nov. 10, and drew both support from a rescue group and doubts from at least one commissioner.
The idea came from the county's Animal Control Board and was presented during a work session, a format where commissioners give staff direction rather than cast a final vote. Fox 35 reported that the board plans to take up the proposal again at a later meeting before any decision is made.
What the county is proposing
The rabbit rule is one piece of a broader rewrite of Chapter 20 of the county code, which covers animals. Under the staff presentation, a new section on retail sales of dogs and cats would add a ban on selling rabbits, with an exception for agricultural or livestock purposes.
Other proposed changes include a ban on declawing cats unless it is medically necessary, tougher rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs, a new "propensity to be dangerous" designation and limits on chains and choke collars used to tie animals up. The Animal Control Board backed the changes at its June 4 meeting, according to its minutes.
The presentation lists one pet company in the county that sells rabbits. County officials told Fox 35 that the retailer has three stores.
Supporters and a skeptic
Sascha Munn, president of Orlando Rabbit Care and Adoptions, told Fox 35 her group is fostering more than 100 rabbits. "I don't think a lot of people know that right after cats and dogs, rabbits are the third most abandoned pet," Munn said, adding that two rabbits sold by one store can lead to thousands more needing homes.
Commissioner Jay Zembower said abandoned pets are a real problem in his district but questioned how far county rules should reach, according to Fox 35. "You know, it's rabbits now and it's guinea pigs next," Zembower said. Munn responded to the station that rescues for every kind of animal are already overwhelmed.
