Pet Stores Now Banned to Sell Dogs, Cats, Rabbits; Rescues Encouraged Instead

Dogs, cats, and rabbits cannot be purchased from any pet stores in New York State. The new law aims to promote choosing rescue animals over puppies from puppy mills. The ban has raised concerns among pet store owners.

Puppy Mill vs Animal Rescues

To stop the sale of animals from the "puppy mill-to-pet store pipeline," a new law signed by Governor Kathy Hochul prohibits the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in retail establishments. Puppy mills are large-scale breeding operations where animals are frequently kept in appalling conditions for the sole purpose of generating revenue.

Puppy mills are large-scale breeding operations where animals are frequently kept in appalling conditions for the sole purpose of generating revenue.

300 Cities and Counties On Board

In 2017, California became the first state to enact a ban on retail. Maryland adopted a similar ban in 2018, and Illinois enacted a statewide ban in February. New pet store sales are prohibited by laws that were passed in Washington and Maine. At this time, pet sales are prohibited in more than 300 American cities and counties.

The law in New York becomes effective in 2024. Reputable breeders are still permitted to sell pets, but they are only permitted to sell nine animals annually.

The law in New York becomes effective in 2024. Reputable breeders are still permitted to sell pets, but they are only permitted to sell nine animals annually. Despite having high price tags, puppies from puppy mills are mistreated from birth and frequently suffer from behavioral or physical health issues later in life.

The New York State Senate stated that this bill would promote the adoption of rescued animals such as dogs, cats, and rabbits and guarantee that animals were no longer subjected to physical and mental abuse, cruelty, and a puppy mill supply chain.

Less than 3000 Out of 10000 Puppy Mills

According to estimated data from the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), there are at least 10,000 puppy mills in the nation, and less than 3,000 of them are subject to US Department of Agriculture regulation.

Animals in these industrial breeding facilities are typically housed in filthy, crammed cages with little access to vet care or human contact. They frequently don't consume enough food or liquids, have inadequate protection from the cold or heat, and lack a private restroom. Numerous puppies raised in puppy mills later develop physical and psychological issues.

John Goodwin, the HSUS's senior director for the Stop Puppy Mills campaign, said that they have been exposing the cruel practices of New York pet stores for years, including selling puppies from puppy mills to unwary customers. As of right now, New York is the sixth state in the union to forbid the retail sale of puppies. A significant market for puppy mills will be eliminated as a result of the conversion of numerous pet stores in New York that sell puppies to humane business models.

Deplorable But Legal

Despite the frequently horrific conditions, puppy mills are typically legal except if the authorities intervene to close any puppy mills with excessively inhumane conditions.

According to the New York State website, Governor Hochul said that all over New York, dogs, cats, and rabbits deserve loving foster homes and humane treatment. The law, which will significantly lessen cruel treatment and safeguard animals' welfare throughout the state, was signed by Hochul with pride.

The legislation, according to some pet store owners, won't stop out-of-state breeders or compel them to provide better care for their animals. They claimed that it might force the closure of numerous pet stores in New York.

The Associated Press quotes Emilio Ortiz, manager of Citipups in New York City, in saying that since selling dogs accounts for 90% of their business, they will not be able to survive the ban. Ortiz claimed that because they are closing both the good actors and the bad actors, the law is unfair to businesses that partner with reputable breeders, Treehugger reports.