April 4, 2025
Kristen Duus, PIO
Greeley Police Department
970.350.9605 (office)
[email protected]
GREELEY, Colo. – A unanimous vote at the Greeley City Council Chambers Tuesday passed a new ordinance banning the retail or public sale of cats and dogs within the city. Known as Sammy’s Law, the ordinance was petitioned by a Greeley citizen last summer.
The ordinance will prohibit retail stores from selling, delivering, or offering for sale or adoption, dogs and cats, as well as prohibits the sale of dogs and cats in public spaces. This initiative is aimed at combatting inhumane breeding practices and promoting animal welfare by banning the sale of pets from large-scale breeding facilities, known as puppy and kitten mills. Licensed agencies under PACFA, the Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act, are not subject to these bans.
The code states:
• It is unlawful to display cats and dogs in public places for the purpose of selling or giving them away.
o Public places include, but are not limited to: streets, public right-of-way, parkways, medians, parks, recreation areas, outdoor markets, sidewalks, exterior areas to shops or businesses and parking lots.
• It is unlawful for any owner, operator or employee of a retail store to sell, display, exchange, offer for sale or adoption, advertise, auction, barter, trade, deliver, give away, lease, or otherwise transfer ownership or dispose of any dog or cat, except for a dog or cat obtained from PACFA-licensed organizations such as animal shelters, pet animal rescues or humane societies.
• A retail store that offers space for the adoption of dogs or cats shall post in a visible location at the store and on each animal’s enclosure, a sign listing the name of the organization licensed by the state of Colorado from which the store acquired the dog or cat.
• Prohibitions do not apply to PACFA-licensed organizations such as animal rescues, humane societies and animal shelters.
• Violation of these laws is a misdemeanor and subject to punishment.
The ordinance goes into effect April 9, 2025.