West Hollywood adopts groundbreaking ban on the retail sale of live animals

After years of dedicated work by World Animal Protection alongside other animal protection organizations, this groundbreaking legislation passed unanimously.

West Hollywood is the first city in California to adopt an expanded retail sales ban, banning the sale of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, arachnids, hermit crabs, and fish.

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the West Hollywood City Council banned the retail sale of live animals, specifically mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, arachnids, hermit crabs, and fish. The ordinance is believed to be the first in the country to ban the retail sale of hermit crabs. It goes into effect in 2026.

The approval of this historic ban on the retail sale of live animals cements West Hollywood's reputation as a forward-thinking and compassionate community. World Animal Protection worked directly with the city of West Hollywood and Mayor Chelsea Byers to enact this ordinance, and thanks Mayor Byers for championing this critical animal protection bill and for all her work on behalf of animals.

Virtually all animals sold in pet stores come from mills where hundreds or thousands of animals are confined to small cages, tubs, and tanks without adequate food, water, or veterinary care. Sick and injured animals may be ignored or gassed or frozen to death. The mass sale of wild animals like turtles and birds, as well as "pocket pets" like guinea pigs, increases the number of animals in shelters. Wild animals are often mis-marketed as low-maintenance or "beginner pets" appropriate for children. Shelters across the country are being inundated with "pocket pets" and struggling to keep up. The majority of these animals are purchased at pet stores.

Liz Cabrera Holtz, Senior Programs Manager, World Animal Protection, states:

"Animals sold in pet stores come from cruel mills where thousands of animals from bearded dragons to parrots are crammed into cages and tanks. Injured and starving animals are ignored. Many animals die before reaching the pet store. This landmark ordinance protects countless animals from untold suffering and solidifies West Hollywood's reputation as a leader in animal protection." 

Federal inspectors of major animal suppliers have documented decomposing animals among living animals, cannibalization, cages encrusted with feces, grime, and old food, animals exhibiting abnormal stereotypic behavior, animals unable to access water, severely injured and ill animals with hair loss, scabbing, skin conditions, diarrhea, and eye abnormalities.

West Hollywood is making history with this ordinance, and it is our hope that other cities follow.

About World Animal Protection 

World Animal Protection is a global organization working to end animal exploitation. We expose cruel systems, promote animal-friendly alternatives, and influence policy change. For 75 years, we've been rewriting the story for animals.

Working across almost 50 countries with offices in 12, we prioritize animals in farming and wild animals exploited for use in entertainment, as pets, and in fashion.

SOURCE World Animal Protection