You are reading

Bill That Prohibits the Sale of Dogs, Cats and Rabbits at Pet Shops Passes State Senate

State Sen. Michael Gianaris (Senator Michael Gianaris / Flickr)

July 22, 2020 By Allie Griffin

The State Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would ban pet stores from selling dogs, cats and rabbits that come from commercial breeders.

The bill, introduced by State. Sen. Mike Gianaris, aims to end puppy mills and breeding farms, where animals are typically overbred and often confined to poor living conditions.

Gianaris hopes the legislation will end the puppy mill pipeline to pet stores. He said pet-seekers should instead turn to shelters and rescue organizations to adopt animals in need of a home. Pet store owners can also work with shelters to organize adoption events at their stores.

“With so many good animals in need of rescue, there is no need for pet stores to sell animals that predominantly come from abusive puppy and kitten mills,” Gianaris said in a statement. “Our four-legged companions should be treated with respect, not like commodities.”

The bill passed the Senate Tuesday with a 47-13 vote. Gianaris first introduced the bill in 2018 and this was the first time it came to the floor for a vote.

The bill will need to pass the State Assembly and get Governor Andrew Cuomo’s signature to become law. It currently has dozens of co-sponsors in Assembly, including Queens Assembly members Brian Barnwell, Catalina Cruz and Aravella Simotas.

“I am thankful my legislation passed the Senate and look forward to further progress in the future,” Gianaris said.

Animal welfare groups celebrated the bill’s passage in the Senate.

“New York State is one step closer to shutting down the puppy mill pipeline for good and protecting thousands of animals from suffering for the sake of profit,” ASPCA President and CEO Matt Bershadker said in a statement.”

New York would become the third state in the U.S. to pass such a law. California and Maryland passed similar pet sales bans in the last year.

But the bill does have its critics.

The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council, which represents pet store owners, issued a statement earlier this year that says the bill is misguided, arguing that responsible pet store owners will suffer and that many purchasers seeking a specific type of breed will go directly to the bad breeders anyway.

“In reality, the bad breeders this legislation targets will go untouched while responsible pet store owners pay the price and will be forced to close their doors and lay off hardworking New Yorkers,” the group said in a statement. “Families who are seeking a specific breed of dog will be driven to unlicensed sources, and could fall victim to unscrupulous sellers.”

The law would affect roughly 80 pet stores that are registered to sell domestic animals in the state.

There are more than a dozen registered pet stores in Queens, including in neighborhoods such as Astoria, Corona, Sunnyside, Flushing, Forest Hills, College Point and Bayside.

 

email the author: [email protected]

5 Comments

Click for Comments 
David

The 4 other posts to this comment are from the very same person. Come on get a life .

2
1
Reply
Me

Because that’s what’s important right now , not getting this city back to normal!!

17
3
Reply
Social Justice for rabbits!!

red rabbit…blue rabbit…green rabbit…BLACK RABBIT….YOUR IT!!!

13
3
Reply
Food line Jimmy

There are people on food lines all over Queens and this is what you spend your time on!?!? Unbelievable

16
3
Reply
What pandemic?

This is what the state senate is working on during these tough times??? Dogs, cats and rabbits? More regulation, putting more people out of work. How about simulating the economy, creating jobs, encouraging and supporting small bussiness start ups. My wife and I aren’t just leaving the city we’re leaving the state. I lived through the effects of the same policies when I was a kids in the 70s and 80s. No thanks not again.

17
1
Reply

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News