SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- San Francisco officials are considering whether to ban the sale of pets, except fish, throughout the city.
Supporters of the ban say animal shelters are overrun by people who buy hamsters, parrots, snakes and other animals from pet stores on impulse, then regret the purchase. Under the proposal, San Francisco residents would have to go outside the city to purchase pets.
San Francisco's animal control director Rebecca Katz says hamsters are the most euthanized pet in the city.
Pet store owners say the measure would put them out of business.
The ban is being considered Thursday evening by the city's Commission of Animal Control and Welfare. It plans to hear testimony from those affected by the ban before voting.
If approved, it would still have to go before the Board of Supervisors for a vote.
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