Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill Thursday banning the sale of dogs, cats, and bunnies at retail pet stores, intent on improving the welfare of furry friends by ending the “puppy mill-to-pet store pipeline.”
Starting in 2024, pet stores will no longer be allowed to sell fuzzy New Yorkers to those walking on two legs, with officials arguing the move will free animals from a life of misery under breeders solely interested in breeding them.
“Dogs, cats, and rabbits across New York deserve loving homes and humane treatment,” the governor said in a statement. “I’m proud to sign this legislation, which will make meaningful steps to cut down on harsh treatment and protect the welfare of animals across the state.”
Pet stores will still be allowed to showcase animals up for adoption from shelters, and the legislation allows shops to charge rent for the display space.
Most pet store animals come from mills, where maximum breeding is pursued at all costs, even to the severe detriment of the animals. Fuzzy friends are made to live in tiny cages and forced to constantly breed to ensure a consistent spigot of new purebred animals to sell. Puppy mill pets can face severe physical and psychological abuse from breeders, with normalized inbreeding among family members often causing problems for animals down the road.
“The animals in breeding mills live, breed, and die in horrendous conditions. They lack socialization, care, or proper medical services. It’s a lifetime of suffering,” said Allie Taylor, president of Voters for Animal Rights. “No animal deserves this treatment. Voters For Animal Rights is thrilled to know that, when this law is enacted, pet stores in New York State will no longer be able to sell dogs, cats, or rabbits. This cuts off a source of income for breeding mills and encourages other states to follow suit.”
The bill, which had died during previous sessions in Albany, passed the Assembly and Senate by significant margins despite heavy lobbying in opposition by the pet store industry.
“Today is a great day for our four-legged friends and a big step forward in our fight against abusive and inhumane puppy mills,” said Senator Michael Gianaris of Queens. “My thanks to Governor Hochul for standing up for the voiceless loving animals who are members of our families and deserve the respect we’ve shown them today.”
The move from Albany comes at the same time the City Council is considering a similar ban, this time on the sale of guinea pigs at pet stores, with animal rights advocates arguing the bill would relieve pressure on shelters being overwhelmed with the furry friends, as a result of severe overbreeding. The Council’s Health Committee held a hearing on the bill on Wednesday.
