CA Press: Another version of similar theme

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Posted by W von Papine�u on December 31, 2002 at 12:29:48:

In Reply to: CA Press:Critter care codified posted by desiree on December 30, 2002 at 00:51:41:

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WOODLAND DAILY DEMOCRAT (California) 30 December 02 New law means pets come with instructions
Los Angeles (AP): Pet shop owners in California will have to do more than sell their customers the food, leashes and other supplies a cute ball of fur needs when a new state law takes effect next year.
Beginning Jan. 1, pet stores will be required to provide customers printed instructions that explain how to care for their cats, birds, rodents and reptiles, a rule that some Southern California shop owners said barks up the wrong tree.
Violators could be fined up to $1,000
"To me, I think the whole thing is a joke. It's just going to take up extra space and extra money," said Mike Herr, owner of San Bar pet shop in Costa Mesa.
The law was sponsored by state Sen. Edward Vincent, D-Los Angeles, at the request of the Doris Day Animal League. According to the bill, the literature must include information on the proper cleaning, handling and feeding of each type of pet.
Before the law passed in September, the Washington, D.C.-based Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council, a trade group, opposed the measure as too broad. Executive Vice President Marshall Meyers said his group's main concern is how it will be enforced.
Meyers said his organization is advising its members to protect themselves from potential complaints or violations by working to ensure that their customers receive the sheets. He said his staff has been working hard to get sample care sheets posted by Thursday on the group's Web site.
Petco, the San Diego-based pet store chain, already makes information sheets available to its customers. A company spokeswoman said the chain is nevertheless concerned about the new law.
"We supported the legislation when it first came out, but we're a little concerned about the language," said Petco spokeswoman Shawn Underwood, adding that the chain is updating its care sheets to provide information more specific to different types of pets.
Some pet shop owners are worried that the law will make them liable if something happens to pets long after they have been living with their new owners.
"I don't mind handing out a leaflet, but at what point in time is the consumer responsible for what they're doing," said Leigh Roth, owner of The Zoo pet store in Mission Viejo.

New law means pets come with instructions

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