‘Puppy mills’ targeted

Proposal to ban sales of dogs, cats, rabbits advances

ALBANY — That doggie in the window could soon be a thing of the past.

A measure barring pet stores in New York from selling puppies, kittens or bunnies is gaining traction in the state capital. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Michael Gianaris (DQueens) and Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan), aims to stop the “puppy mill pipeline” of dogs provided to pet stores by out-of-state breeders who often disregard federal regulations and oversight. “With so many good animals in need of rescue, there is no need for puppy mills that abuse animals to supply pet stores. Our four-legged companions should be treated with respect, not like commodities,” Gianaris said. “I am pleased this important legislation moved out of committee and continues to build momentum with many of my Senate colleagues.”

Under the measure, which was approved by the Senate’s Domestic Animal Welfare Committee on Monday, the roughly 80 pet stores in the state that sell dogs, cats and rabbits would instead be encouraged to foster partnerships with shelters and rescue groups to promote pets who are up for adoption.

Rosenthal said the stores would still make money from pet-related items like food, toys and beds.

“The reality is, when you purchase a puppy, kitten and bunny from a pet store you are acting in support of puppy mills. There’s simply no way around it,” Rosenthal said. “Animals are sentient creatures, and we must do all that we can to end the torture that takes place in puppy mills and to find homes for the loving animals crowding shelters and rescues.”

The sale of pet rabbits has been banned in the five boroughs since 2014. Pet shops in the city can only sell sterilized puppies and kittens from federally licensed breeders.

According to the Humane Society of the United States, there are at least 10,000 puppy mills in the U.S., fewer than 3,000 of which are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

As they rallied behind the bill at the Capitol, the lawmakers and advocates were joined Monday by Watson and Kerouac,

a pair of pups up for adoption from the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society. “The state’s network of animal shelters stand at the ready to help pet stores bring adoption events to their shops in order to find good, loving families for the thousands of homeless animals we care for each year,” said Libby Post, the executive director of the New York State Animal Protection Federation. “Shutting down the Puppy Mill Pipeline in New York is not just the right action to take but the humane action needed to protect animals and New York’s citizens.”