We first reported on this issue back in June, when San Francisco’s Commission on Animal Control and Welfare was deciding whether to include birds in the proposed ban on the sale of small animals within the city limits.  The birds were added to the proposed ban, which will be voted on tonight.

Of course, opponents are acting as if no one will ever be able to own a pet in San Francisco ever again, though that is far from the case.  What will the effect be?  Less impulse buying of small animals and less strain on the city’s animal shelters.  People who want to seek out a pet can adopt from shelters or go out of town.  And don’t be fooled by the hysterical shrieking of pet store owners; they will stay in business because there is plenty of money in pet supplies…

Written by Corey
Corey is a New Yorker who lived most of his life in upstate New York but has lived in Queens since 2008. He's only been birding since 2005 but has garnered a respectable life list by birding whenever he wasn't working as a union representative or spending time with his family. He lives in Forest Hills with Daisy and Desmond Shearwater. His bird photographs have appeared on the Today Show, in Birding, Living Bird Magazine, Bird Watcher's Digest, and many other fine publications. He is also the author of the American Birding Association Field Guide to the Birds of New York.