In her article “Pet peeve’’ (Business, Aug. 9), Katheleen Conti provided a balanced look at Cambridge’s ban on retail sales of commercially bred pets. Here are some more facts Cambridge residents need to know.

My organization tracked and presented to Vice Mayor Marc McGovern data showing that there are not enough rescue animals statewide for Cambridge’s animal lovers. It will therefore be difficult for the city to ensure enough animals are available in Cambridge’s two pet stores.

McGovern claimed at Monday’s Cambridge City Council meeting that animal sales are a small percentage of revenues at these stores. Even if that is true, for pet lovers, the purchase of a companion is the beginning of a relationship that lasts a lifetime, and that requires buying necessities to care for, and even spoil, the new family member when the animal is brought into the home.

Finally, supporters of the ordinance argue that it is necessary because of conditions at breeding facilities that supply Cambridge’s stores. Both stores have acclaimed audit programs to verify suppliers’ commitment to animals, and industrywide standards of care were recently announced. This ordinance would deny pet owners protections and force them to seek companions from less regulated sources.

Mike Bober

President

Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council

Alexandria, Va.