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State Law Banning Sale of Pets in Retail Stores Goes Into Effect December 15
Published: November 22, 2024
at 09:15 a.m.
By: Press Release
from NYS Attorney General’s Office
Attorney General James Reminds New Yorkers that
Selling Pets in Retail Stores Will be Illegal
Law Banning Sale of Pets in Retail Stores Going into
Effect on December 15, Retail Pet Stores Selling Dogs, Cats, or Rabbits
Could Face Up to $1,000 Per Violation
NEW YORK – New York
Attorney General Letitia James today reminded licensed pet dealers with retail stores that
selling dogs, cats, and rabbits will be illegal in New York starting on
December 15. The pet sale ban is intended to stop dangerous large-scale
breeding operations known as “puppy mills,” where animals are often
mistreated and suffer from serious health issues. Puppy mills often
misrepresent the health of the animals they breed and send retail stores
sick pets that then cost families thousands of dollars in veterinary care.
Retail pet stores that continue to sell pets after December 15 can face
penalties of up to $1,000 per violation. New Yorkers can still adopt pets
from duly incorporated humane societies, animal rescues, or licensed
breeders.
“Bringing a new
pet into a family should be a time of excitement and joy, but often animals
from ‘puppy mills’ suffer from serious medical issues and leave families
heartbroken over their sick pet and with a heavy bill to pay,” said Attorney
General James. “This pet sale ban will help put an end to the dangerous
puppy mill to pet store pipeline that endangers pets and costs New Yorkers
thousands of dollars in veterinary care. New Yorkers interested in adding a
furry friend to their family can still adopt a pet at a human society,
animal rescue, or a licensed breeder.”
“This is a
great step forward for our four-legged friends as we continue to fight
against abusive and inhumane puppy mills,” said Senate Deputy
Leader Michael Gianaris. “We have stood up for the voiceless
animals, who deserve respect and compassion and I
am grateful the Attorney General intends to vigorously enforce our new
law.”
“Stores selling
cats, dogs and rabbits will finally face the music this December when that
practice must end,” said Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal. “I
am immensely proud to be the sponsor of this landmark legislation shutting
down the cruel puppy mill pipeline to New York State. This law will spare
countless animals the abuse and disease they
suffer in puppy mills and will protect consumers as well. However, as with
any piece of legislation that upends the status quo, we can anticipate some
establishments may employ every imaginable legal trick to evade the law. I am
glad that Attorney General James will continue to hold these stores
accountable. I look forward to working with her to protect the welfare
of our animals and the many New Yorkers who consider them part of their family.”
The Puppy Mill
Pipeline Act, co-sponsored by Senator Michael Gianaris and Assemblymember
Linda B. Rosenthal, prohibits retail pet shops from selling, leasing, or
transferring ownership of dogs, cats, or rabbits. Pet stores may still
partner with registered, nonprofit animal rescue organizations to showcase
animals available for adoption. The law allows pet stores to collect
reasonable rental fees from rescue groups for space to showcase pets for
adoption. Violators of the Puppy Mill Pipeline Act may be subject to
enforcement action by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), which could
include penalties of up to $1,000 per violation.
Earlier this
year, Attorney General James secured $300,000 from a Long Island pet store, Shake
A Paw, for hundreds of consumers who were illegally and unknowingly sold
sick puppies. An OAG investigation revealed that Shake A
Paw falsely advertised sick pets as healthy, failed to disclose the
animals’ legitimate medical conditions, misrepresented puppies’ breeds, and
refused to reimburse consumers for veterinary bills they incurred because
the dogs they purchased were sick. The illnesses and congenital defects in
these animals were found to be consistent with puppies that are purchased
from puppy mills.
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