STAMFORD, CT — The Stamford Zoning Board earlier this month made changes to various zoning regulations, including one that aims to curb the sale of puppies and kittens from pet shops in highly trafficked areas.
Land Use Bureau Chief Ralph Blessing presented proposed changes to the board on Dec. 2.
“Basically what we’re proposing to do is to create two categories of pet stores,” Blessing explained. “One would be ‘pet store, supplies and accessories only,’ in which you would not be permitted to sell cats and dogs. The other ones would be ‘pet stores, full service.’ Those would only be allowed by special permit in the C-I, M-L, and M-G zones.”
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The idea for the changes was brought to the board’s attention by the Stamford Board of Representatives, Blessing said, noting the city previously tried to make a resolution banning puppy mills, but the law department “was skeptical they could do that.”
Blessing said a lot of stores in highly frequented areas have puppies and kittens in their window and are “basically selling those animals to people who buy them out of an impulse or are not taking particular care” of them.
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“The idea is that by putting [stores] in certain areas and having them subject to special permit approval, that would deter things [from happening] in those highly-visible areas,” Blessing said.
The special permit requirement would allow the Zoning Board to regulate and limit where pet store uses are, Blessing said.
You can view the zoning changes the board made on Dec. 2 here.
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