New York’s pet shops would be prohibited from selling puppies and other animals

The only thing that is holding back a bill banning the sale of kittens, puppies and rabbits in New York’s pet shops is Governor. Kathy Hochul must sign the bill.

The Puppy Mill Pipeline Bill was approved by the State Legislature with bipartisan support in June according to a news release issued by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a bill sponsor.

Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal, and Senate Deputy Majority leader Michael Gianaris sponsored the bill. They said it was intended to stop breeders passing on their animals to potential pet owners.

“Kitty, puppy, and bunny-mills abuse and mistreat animals in order to produce pets that can be sold. These pets often come with congenital disorders, and are expensive for unsuspecting buyers in the form of high-quality veterinary care and emotional stress.

The New York Times reported in its Sunday edition that several New York City pet shops and Albany stores were sued by the state attorney general for selling puppies to unauthorized breeders.

A Long Island company was sued last year by the State AG for nine puppies they sold that succumbed to serious illnesses shortly after their sale, according the Times.

Mike Bober heads Pet Advocacy Network. This is a national association for pet traders. According to Bober, he doesn’t dispute the existence of evil actors within the industry.

However, this doesn’t alter the fact breeders feel “deeply offended” and frustrated that some people deliberately and willingly misrepresent the situation of breeding in the country.

Mr. Bober stated that similar laws can also be disruptive for business.

He provided data showing that after California banned in-store sales of pets in 2019,, only two 28 shops that were selling puppies in the state remained open two years later.

Pet ownership data compiled by the Humane Society, a bill supporter, pointed to the American Veterinary Medical Association sourcebook from 2017-18 that showed that only 6% of people acquired their dog from a pet store and only 3% acquired their cat from a pet store that year.

In the 2021-22 American Pet Products Association survey, also cited by the Humane Society, 9% of people acquired their dog from a pet store and 8% people acquired their cat from one.

Ms. Hochul have not publicly commented on this bill. It is up to her until December 31st to sign.

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