Animal rights activists in Toronto who hoped to push the city to ban the sale of cats and dogs at pet stores are angry after a civic committee cancelled plans to hear their concerns.

A group of 30 people had arrived at City Hall Friday after they say the licensing and standards committee had promised to see them.

Dean Maher led the group pushing for the ban, saying he believes pet stores promote impulsive buying and inhumane treatment.

"I challenge any pet store to show me they take their puppies for walks around the store," said Maher, who is running for city council in the Trinity-Spadina Ward in this fall's municipal election.

Michelle Nadon, who works with Toronto animal rescue A Cause for Paws, agreed pet stores are not suitable for cats and dogs.

"What ends up happening is the [animals] come out of these places with medical if not severe behavioural problems," said Nadon.

But the group left frustrated after the committee decided it needed a staff report and recommendations before it would hear from the public about the issue.

Activist Ken Wood said it was a disappointing result.

"The city has been talking big about consulting the public, but when it comes down to the nitty gritty of actually doing it, they duck and run," he said.

The licensing committee said it would consider the proposed bylaw the next time it meets. However the committee is not scheduled to meet again until 2011.

With files from the CBC's Beza Seife