Free Republic

Animal shelters are a practical response to a sad reality: Sometimes pets get lost or people are no longer interested or able to care for their furry friends, and dogs and cats need a safe place to stay. But the end goal is always to get those critters into safe, warm, caring forever homes. This has been a weird year, with shelters seeing an influx of pets that families could no longer care for alongside a renewed interest in fostering as people started working from home. Numbers have fluctuated as people returned to work, and the holidays are a double-edged...

A new California law would require pet store owners to purchase stock only from animal shelters and non-profit rescue organizations. Sales of purebred puppies and kittens from breeders would be illegal, punishable by a $500 fine per animal. CNN: The Pet Rescue and Adoption Act was introduced by assembly member Patrick O'Donnell and signed into law by California Governor Jerry Brown in October 2017. Under the law, individuals are still allowed to buy from private breeders, but stores are prohibited from doing so. In a press release issued at the time, O'Donnell touted the law as an end to "puppy...