West Hollywood is the first city in California to ban the sale of almost all animals in pet stores. The new law applies to mammals, birds, fishes, reptiles, amphibians, arachnids, and hermit crabs.
Animals in pet stores come from mills, commercial breeding facilities where they endure extreme cruelty. In 2024, World Animal Protection and the spcaLA approached the city of West Hollywood about protecting these animals by shutting down the mill-to-pet-store pipeline. Thanks to Mayor Byers’ championship, local advocates like Justine Block, a West Hollywood resident and attorney, and many organizations, it will be illegal to sell animals in stores beginning in 2026.
A New Day for Animals Suffering in Pet Stores
While many cities have banned the sale of dogs and cats, only a handful have protected other species. But most animals in pet stores aren’t dogs and cats—they’re reptiles, amphibians, birds, fishes, and small mammals like guinea pigs. And West Hollywood is the first in the nation to include hermit crabs, who are ripped from their homes on the beach, packed into bags, and shipped to pet stores.
West Hollywood has a well-deserved reputation for being a leader in animal rights. It was the first US city to ban the sale of fur and declawing of cats. Advocates worldwide look to West Hollywood for inspiration, and we’re confident that this new law will usher in a new day for animals suffering in pet stores.
Interested in working on a retail pet sales ban in your community? Check out our toolkit for tips to get started.