New York To Officially Ban Pet Stores From Selling Dogs, Cats, And Rabbits

Residents in New York will soon no longer be allowed to purchase dogs, cats, and rabbits from pet stores, following a legislative ban that hopes to curb the sale of animals from commercial breeding operations, more commonly known as “puppy mills.” 

According to the Associated Press, the new rule will take effect in 2024, and will offer pet shops the option of working with shelters to put rescued or abandoned animals up for adoption instead. The law will also ban breeders from selling more than nine animals annually. 

New York isn’t the first state to have enacted such a ban; it will join the likes of California and Illinois in the country’s move against unethical breeders, who often raise animals in abusive or unhealthy environments before selling them off to unsuspecting consumers. 

Expectedly, pet stores in the state have not reacted well to the news. Some feel that the legislation will cause consumers to look to out-of-state breeders instead, or even result in the closures of the dwindling number of pet shops left in New York.

As per the New York Times, the pet industry has warned that the ban could lead to a “chain of unintended consequences,” such as making it more difficult for residents to own a pet or even leading to an underground black market. 

“New York is taking action to end the puppy mill pipeline. Dogs, cats, and rabbits across New York deserve loving homes and humane treatment. Today I signed legislation to help protect the welfare of animals across the state,” tweeted Governor Kathy Hochul. 

[via Associated Press and The New York Times, cover image via Andrey Sayfutdinov | Dreamstime.com]