New York Bans Pet Stores From Selling Cats, Dogs, and Rabbits

Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-N.Y.) speaks at a news conference in New York City on Aug. 3, 2022. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

New York has banned the sale of cats, dogs, and rabbits in retail pet stores, making it the latest state to do so amid attempts to stop commercial breeders from operating so-called “puppy mills.”

The legislation (pdf), known as the Puppy Mill Pipeline bill, was signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul on Dec. 15 and will go into effect in December 2024.

Specifically, it prevents stores from selling the pets but allows them instead to work with animal rescue organizations to provide space in their stores for animals available for adoption. It will also ban pet breeders from selling more than nine animals a year.

Hochul said the move aims to put an end to the “puppy mill-to-pet store pipeline and stop abusive breeders.”

“Dogs, cats, and rabbits across New York deserve loving homes and humane treatment,” Hochul 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.”

An undercover investigation conducted by the Humane Society of the United States in 2021 found that 20 New York pet stores purchased puppies from at least eight breeders that the nonprofit organization visited, where they discovered conditions described as disturbing.

Animal welfare groups commended the new law while noting the cruel conditions that breeding animals are often kept in under commercial breeding operations.

A man and a woman peer into the display windows of Citipups, a midtown Manhattan pet store, in New York City on Nov. 1, 2013. (Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times)

Opponents Say Law Hurts Ethical Store Owners

Kitty Block, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, said in a statement: “Our undercover investigations have exposed sick puppy sales and cruel practices in New York pet stores, highlighting the need for this historic law. New Yorkers will no longer be duped by pet stores into spending thousands of dollars on puppies who are often ill and almost always sourced from dismal puppy mills.”

While advocates have praised the new law, others such as People United to Protect Pet Integrity (PUPPI)—a coalition of pet store owners—have warned the ban could unfairly impact responsible pet store owners who are not part of the so-called “puppy mills” and are actively raising puppies in ethical conditions.

They also argue the new law will not serve to shut down commercial breeding facilities, many of which they say are located out-of-state, and could instead prompt the closure of the dozens of pet stores remaining in New York.

Jessica Selmer, president of PUPPI, called the law “careless” and “counterproductive” and said she hopes the governor will “consider legislative remedies to some of the pitfalls of the bill.”

New York is the latest state to enact such a measure, following in the footsteps of California, Illinois, and Maryland.

California became the first state to ban the sale of animals from puppy mills in 2017. Under that law, pet stores are required to work with animal shelters or rescue operations if they want to sell dogs, cats, or rabbits. However, the law still allows private breeders to sell animals directly.

Maryland signed a similar law in 2020 and Illinois barred pet shops from selling commercially raised puppies and kittens just one year later.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.