City staff could bring a proposed updated animal ordinance to Frisco City Council as soon as January with new regulations for pet stores.

Staff presented an initial draft of the updated ordinance to the council at a Dec. 3 work session. Numerous residents have called on the city to update its animal ordinance following a summer investigation by the Humane Society of the United States into the Frisco Petland location, which accused the store of animal mistreatment.

The proposed updated ordinance would require pet stores to provide new pet owners with documentation detailing the health and origin of the animal as well as new regulations for caring for pets for sale. It would also more definitively define what a pet store is and sanitation requirements for animal enclosures.

The general manager and owner of the Petland in Frisco store attended the work session.

“We love our animals,” store owner Jake Patel said. “We’d do anything for them. Whatever you tell us, we’ll do. Just tell us what you want from us.”


Council members suggested adding other requirements, such as outlining a minimum number of regular city inspections and vet visits.

Council Member Shona Huffman also suggested adding procedures to protect pet owners in case an animal is found to be sick after it is purchased.

Several residents have spoken at council meetings calling on the city to ban pet sales in Frisco to prevent the trend of over-breeding animals. One resident spoke at the Dec. 3 work session expressing frustration that the proposed ordinance would not ban pet sales.

“The only proven answer to protect the buying public and the animals being sold is to restrict the sale of dogs and cats,” Cile Holloway said.


Deputy City Manager Henry Hill said city staff expects to present a final draft of the updated ordinance to City Council at the first meeting in January.