Roswell joins neighboring city and county governments in banning “transient pet sales,” which are sales that take place in outdoor or transient locations, such as parking lots.
At their Sept. 23 meeting, Roswell Mayor and Council approved changing the City code of ordinances in an effort to crack down on unlicensed or unscrupulous sellers abusing animals for profit and misleading buyers about the breed and health of the animals. Such sellers will often operate outside, in public spaces, without a physical business address.
“Good breeders do not sell animals in a parking lot,” said Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson. “This new law will protect Roswell residents from being scammed and will also protect the animals from being used for profit by sellers who may not have their best interests at heart.”
The new law does not stop licensed breeders from selling animals out of private homes, a veterinary office, or police department. It also does not apply to licensed animal shelters and rescue organizations.
The changes to the law were spearheaded by Roswell Councilmember Christine Hall and follow similar laws implemented in nearby City of Johns Creek and Fulton County (unincorporated), Hall, Forsyth, and Athens-Clark counties. These laws have targeted transient and unlicensed breeders and sellers of dogs, cats, and domestic rabbits according to Roswell resident Peggy McCarthey, with the Georgia Pet Coalition. She and this group helped bring the issue and ordinance to the City’s attention.