WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (September 16, 2025) — On September 15, West Hollywood made history by adopting the nation’s most comprehensive ban on animal sales at pet stores. In Defense of Animals, Animal Alliance Network, and the International Alliance for the Protection of Parrots, worked together with local, grassroots activists and other organizations including World Animal Protection and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, to achieve this landmark victory for animals bred in cruel mills sold in pet stores.

The ordinance expands the city's prohibition on the sale of dogs and cats in pet stores to include other mammals, amphibians, arachnids, birds, fish, hermit crabs, and reptiles. Effective May 1, 2026, West Hollywood’s expanded ordinance is the most comprehensive animal sales ban in the U.S. and the first of its kind in California.

Monday’s action marks the city council’s final adoption of this historic animal sales ban, after voting unanimously in support at its last meeting on August 18, 2025.

“This groundbreaking ban ends the sale of animals from cruel mills and puts compassion first,” said Lisa Levinson, Campaigns Director at In Defense of Animals. “Most animals sold in California pet stores, ranging from birds and reptiles to small mammals, come from cruel breeding mills. These animals often suffer in captivity, as many lack federal protections and cannot thrive in human homes. We applaud Mayor Chelsea Lee Byers and the entire West Hollywood City Council for approving the nation’s most comprehensive animal sales ban at pet stores and encourage others to follow.”

Animal Alliance Network shared, “We are overjoyed that the City of West Hollywood has passed an ordinance to ban the commercial sale of animals. West Hollywood is a proven trailblazer for animal protection legislation and we hope other municipalities will follow their lead!”

”The bird mill to pet store pipeline harms parrots, treating them as inventory rather than the wild animals they are,” said a spokesperson for the International Alliance for the Protection of Parrots. “Thanks to this new ordinance, parrots will no longer suffer in West Hollywood pet stores, which do not possess the space, expertise, or time to properly care for these animals.”

The new ban is expected to drive a positive culture shift from commodifying animals toward encouraging adoption. Pet stores now have the opportunity to make a positive difference by showcasing animals in need of loving homes.

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CONTACTS:

* Lisa Levinson, lisa@idausa.org 215-620-2130

* Justine Block, jblockesq@gmail.com 310-927-4341

* Ellen Dent, ellen@plantbasedtreaty.org 626-722-8390

In Defense of Animals is an international animal rescue and protection organization with over 250,000 supporters and a history of defending animals, people, and the environment through education and campaigns, as well as hands-on rescue facilities in India, South Korea, rural Mississippi, and California, since 1983. www.idausa.org

The mission of the Animal Alliance Network (AAN) is to educate, take action, do outreach, and spread awareness on the daily atrocities animals endure due to human practices. We hope to aid in the effort to cease unsustainable practices, which often results in cruelty to animals. We seek to collaborate with all animal rights groups, rescues, and sanctuaries in order to serve the victims of animal abuse as effectively as possible. https://animalalliancenetwork.org

The International Alliance for the Protection of Parrots, is a  global alliance of veteranians, frontline conservation workers, rescue and sanctuary managers, and animal welfare advocates. www.allianceforparrots.org

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