Fort Collins has seen a significant change in its local pet retail landscape with the closure of Pet City, the city’s only remaining pet store selling cats and dogs. Located at 3663 S. College Ave., Pet City ceased operations over a month ago, with November 3 marking the last day for its employees. This closure arrives ahead of the impending ban on retail pet sales in Fort Collins, raising questions about the future of pet acquisition in the area.
Karen Kinnes, the former manager and previous owner of Pet City, expressed her sadness and concern over the closure, highlighting the store’s 20-year history in the community. The decision to close Pet City, which employed six people at the time of its shutdown, was influenced by the forthcoming city-wide ban on the retail sale of cats and dogs, a measure that threatened the core business model of Pet City. Kinnes noted that approximately 90% of the store’s revenue was generated from pet sales, making the ban a critical blow to its sustainability.
Alt text: Adorable puppies looking out from a pet store window, showcasing the typical pets sold at Pet City before its closure.
However, the pet sales ban was not the sole reason for Pet City’s closure. According to Kinnes, the store was already facing challenges. With their lease ending and owner Becky Mosshart’s readiness to conclude her involvement, the timing seemed right for closure, even before the City Council’s decision regarding the sales ban. Mosshart confirmed that economic factors were leading her to consider selling the store even prior to the ban being discussed. She emphasized the unprecedented economic difficulties in the dog business, stating, “I’ve never been through an economy like that for the dog business” in her long experience of raising dogs since 1981.
Mosshart, who has owned Pet City since 2012 after purchasing it from Kinnes and her husband, reflected on her experiences in the pet industry. She acknowledged the mixed aspects of the business but defended the integrity of many breeders. She recounted instances where she ceased partnerships with certain pet stores due to concerns about their animal handling practices, contrasting this with Pet City’s approach. Mosshart praised Pet City’s protocols, stating she “liked the way they handled them, saw very, very few sick puppies,” emphasizing their efforts to isolate animals and prevent the spread of germs.
Alt text: A generic “Store Closing” sign displayed on an empty storefront, symbolizing the recent closure of Pet City in Fort Collins.
The Fort Collins pet sales ban, enacted to combat puppy mills and promote humane animal treatment, prohibits pet stores from selling cats and dogs sourced from breeders. While a part of the ordinance concerning sales in public places took effect in early September, the ban for retail stores like Pet City is set to fully come into force on May 20. The intention behind this ordinance is to reduce the market for animals from large-scale breeding facilities that may not adhere to high standards of animal welfare.
Mosshart argues that the absence of pet stores might limit consumer choices and oversight in pet acquisition. She pointed out that pet stores often provide guarantees and avenues for consumer recourse, such as money-back guarantees, Better Business Bureau complaints, and regulatory bodies like Colorado’s PACFA (Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act). She contrasted this with alternative pet sources like online puppy sales, where consumers might face significant legal expenses to resolve issues without the safety net of established retail practices.
The closure of Pet City marks a turning point for pet acquisition in Fort Collins. As the city moves towards enforcing the pet sales ban, prospective pet owners will need to adapt to new ways of finding their animal companions, potentially shifting towards adoption shelters, rescue organizations, and direct engagement with responsible breeders. The long-term effects of this ban on the local pet industry and animal welfare remain to be seen, but the departure of Pet City signifies a clear shift in how Fort Collins residents will welcome pets into their homes.
