In an effort to address overcrowding at the city’s main animal shelter as well as public safety, Philadelphia’s City Council passed a bill that temporarily bans puppy breeding. Bill No. 250989, which the council passed with a 15-0 vote on Thursday, Feb. 19, establishes a temporary moratorium on the unlicensed breeding, sale and transfer of puppies within the city of Philadelphia. Councilwoman Cindy Bass introduced the bill in response to the increase in stray and abandoned dogs across the city as well as overcrowding at ACCT Philly, which has led to growing public health and safety concerns. The measure pauses unregulated puppy breeding and sales by people and entities without a valid Pennsylvania kennel license. The bill also preserves exemptions for licensed kennels, nonprofit rescues and service-related programs. City council described the bill as a “targeted, time-limited measure” that aims to stabilize the intake at shelters while leaders develop longer-term solutions. “This bill is about responsibility, compassion, and common sense,” Councilwoman Bass said. “Philadelphia’s animal shelter system is under real strain, and unregulated breeding has contributed to overcrowding, abandonment, and public safety risks. Bill 250989 gives our city the breathing room it needs to protect animals, support responsible pet ownership, and safeguard our neighborhoods, while we work toward sustainable, long-term solutions.” Bass also said the bill is not a permanent ban and it does not target responsible licensed operations or rescues. “It focuses on unregulated activity that has overwhelmed our shelter system and put animals and people at risk,” she said. “Protecting animal welfare is part of building healthy, safe communities, and today’s vote reflects Philadelphia’s values.” The legislation will take effect 90 days after passage and remain in place for three years unless City Council renews it following a public review of shelter capacity, enforcement data and impacts on public health. Jody Applebaum, a local dog breeder, had a mixed reaction to the bill. “I agree that there’s a problem,” Applebaum said. “The difficulty that I have is that they’re targeting individual breeders.” Applebaum told NBC10 she has been raising and breeding award-winning dogs for years. She also said she’s selective about where her puppies go and states in her contracts that if an owner can’t care for a dog, they must be returned to her. She said she’s now worried about how the bill could impact her passion project. “I may have to leave Philadelphia if I’m scared to stay here,” she said. “I don’t want to stop what I’m doing. I’ve worked too hard to get where I am.” The bill is now awaiting a signature from Mayor Cherelle Parker. ...read more read less