MOSES LAKE, Wash. – Planning on selling an animal in Moses Lake? You’ll have to find an area that isn’t your local parking lot.
Moses Lake City Council approved Animal Sales Regulation Ordinance 3055 on Oct. 8, which bans the sale of pets on both public property and private property that is open to the public like store parking lots.
“Council has received historically consistent complaints from citizens and the Grant County Animal Shelter about the parking lot and public right of way sales of puppies and kittens in the City,” the policy overview offered to council members said.
The sale of animals in Moses Lake parking lots now carries a penalty up to $1,000, and those hoping to sell animals will have to find a proper forum such as a shelter or pet shop.
Moses Lake police emphasized that the new ordinance will be enforced, and that officers have little patience for those seeking to find a way around pet sale regulations.
“For those that seeking creative ways around the ordinance, it also bans the display, delivery, offering for sale, barter, auction or giving away of animals as well…We will be responding to complaints of people illegally selling animals, as well as acting on on-sight violations,” the department said via social media.
Animal adoptions in Moses Lake are available at Grant County Animal Outreach.