What is covered under the new law prohibiting the sale of dogs and cats in pet stores in NY?
A law passed in New York state bans the selling of dogs, cats, and other household pets in stores. What is the law’s aim, and how will it protect animals?
This week, New York Governor celebrated a new law to protect against the abuse and mistreatment of dogs, cats, and other furry friends.
The legislation will ban the selling of these animals in pet stores, a step taken to put an “end to the puppy mill-to-pet store pipeline and stop abusive breeders.”
By cutting out pet stores from the market, and breeders who engage in exploitative practices that harm both adult animals and their young, the state will make it harder for these businesses to be profitable. The law was also passed to protect consumers, who wittingly or not purchase animals from breeders that “lack proper veterinary care, food or socialization,” which “cost families thousands of dollars in veterinary care.” Many animals born in puppy mills-like conditions can develop diseases and conditions that affect their quality of life, and Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal hopes that “countless families will be spared the heartache of spending thousands on a beloved new pet that is genetically damaged and chronically ill.”
When does the legislation take effect?
The state will give pet stores one year to comply with the new law as it is not scheduled to take effect until 2024.
What other states have passed similar measures?
In 2017, California enacted a law that outlawed the selling of dogs, cats, and rabbits unless the animal was “obtained from a public animal control agency or shelter, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals shelter, humane society shelter, or rescue group.” Maryland followed the Golden State and enacted a similar law. In 2021, Washington outlawed the selling of dogs and cats by pet stores, and in February 2022, an animal protection law in Illinois went into effect that made similar changes.