Pet stores will no longer be permitted to sell cats, dogs, or rabbits in New York

December 19th, 2022

From time immemorial puppies, kittens, birds, hamsters, mice, rabbits, and other animals are sold in pet stores to anyone with a money as if they were mere accessories. But the truth is that selling animals prevents homeless and undesirable animals in animal shelters from finding homes. Most countries have puppy mills, which are large-scale breeding operations. These see animals deprived of socialisation, exercise, and medical attention before being sold in pet stores. Early on, the puppies are often taken from their moms, placed in boxes, and transported hundreds of miles by truck or plane to brokers before being sold to pet shops.

Often, they are not given enough food, water, or ventilation during this process. Some puppies don't make it through the arduous trek. In an effort to change this, some states in the USA have sought to outlaw the sale of certain domesticated animals in pet stores. As a result of new legislation that Governor Kathy Hochul approved on Thursday, retail pet stores in New York will no longer be permitted to sell dogs, cats, or rabbits beginning in 2024. Here’s a closer look at the ban.

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Pet advocacy groups have long called for a shutdown on the sale of pets

In New York, pet advocacy groups have long called for a full shutdown of facilities that raise and sell animals for profit, saying animals are raised in inhumane conditions before they are shipped off to stores. The law targets breeding practises that mistreat animals and neglect to give them the required veterinary treatment, nutrition, and socialisation. Customers who buy pets from these mills may eventually incur veterinary costs in the thousands.

Well, the new rule forbids pet stores from selling dogs, cats, and rabbits while also allowing them to charge shelters rent in exchange for using their facility for adoption services.

An effort to stop extensive cruel breeding methods

According to Hochul's office, the ban—which is also in place in a few other states like California and Illinois—is an effort to stop puppy and kitten mills' extensive cruel breeding methods, which frequently provide animals to pet stores. "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."

Photo by Thomas Park on Unsplash

Insight of people who lauded the ban

"New York State will no longer allow brutally inhumane puppy mills around the country to supply our pet stores and earn a profit off animal cruelty and unsuspecting consumers," Assemblywoman Linda B. Rosenthal said in a statement after the new law was adopted. "Countless families will be spared the heartache of spending thousands on a beloved new pet that is genetically damaged and chronically ill. By ending the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in pet stores, shelters and rescues will be able to partner with these stores to showcase adoptable animals and place them into forever homes," Rosenthal explained in her statement.

Bipartisan backing helped the legislation pass in June, but before Hochul signed it, he added the adoption amendment and moved the implementation date to 2024. Michael Gianaris, a state senator from Queens, endorsed Hochul's choice and hailed it as "a beautiful day for our four-legged friends."

Concerns raised by pet store owners

Pet store supporters in New York, People United to Protect Pet Integrity (PUPPI), were not thrilled with the new law, arguing it will drive many small pet stores to close. Jessica Selmer, president of PUPPI, called the law "counterproductive" and said she hopes the governor will "consider legislative remedies to some of the pitfalls of the bill," in a statement.

Other states to enforce similar bans

In 2017, California passed a similar law, making it the first state to outlaw such sales. While the law mandates pet shops to collaborate with animal shelters or rescue groups, as New York is currently doing, it does not impose restrictions on the sales of animals from private breeders. The sale of cats and dogs in pet stores was outlawed in Maryland in 2020, which sparked opposition from store owners and breeders who took the law to court.

Furthermore, Illinois prohibited pet stores from selling commercially produced pups and kittens a year later.