A bill is pending on the New York governor’s desk that, if signed, will prohibit retail pet stores from selling any dogs or cats. Instead, they would only be allowed to “showcase” animals available for adoption from a shelter, rescue, or adoption agency that has no affiliation with breeders.
New York residents are strongly encouraged to contact the Governor’s Office TODAY and ask her to veto the pet store ban, which removes the state’s strong consumer protection laws and will not help the welfare of animals:
Online form
Phone: (518) 474-8390
Talking Points:
When contacting the governor, consider the following talking points:
- This ban does little to get at any actual issues of cruelty or negligence. It limits access to a choice of pets for those who want a pet with specific characteristics and health warranties, and do not have access to a specialized local breeder or the resources to travel to obtain a pet that is a good fit for their lifestyle.
- It removes the choice to obtain a puppy from a regulated, licensed pet store that (under current law) must provide consumer protections and a health history of the pet. Instead, it will push future pet owners to the internet where sick puppies and scams are common.
- It harms responsible pet breeders and retailers who are regulated under federal and state laws, while encouraging the sale of pets that come from unlicensed and unregulated sources that are not subject to federal animal welfare or New York consumer protection laws.
- Since the bill does not allow rescues or shelters to source dogs from breeders, it would seem to imply that breeders should not be involved in rescue work. This undermines the dedicated volunteer efforts of breed experts and breeders who are part of AKC clubs and who regularly help dogs in need get appropriate assessments, care, and rehoming.
- The most effective way to shut down irresponsible breeders, rescues or pet sellers is to stop them from making money from the sale or transfer of unhealthy pets. New York’s current consumer protection laws hold pet dealers- including pet stores- accountable for the pets they sell and mandate reimbursement for the purchase/ fees or veterinary care for an unhealthy pet in cases where illnesses at the time of transfer were not disclosed to the new owner.
For more information, contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at doglaw@akc.org.