NY Senate Passes Ban Banning Sale Of Dogs, Cats [POLL]

NEW YORK — A bill prohibiting the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in retail pet shops passed the state Senate Tuesday and is now being discussed in the Assembly. The bill authorizes stores to collaborate with humane organizations or societies to provide space to showcase animals up for adoption.

Animal rights organizations, including the ASPCA, applauded the move as a step closer to eliminating the puppy mill industry.

"Pet stores that sell puppies may look good from the window, but rely on a recklessly inhumane system to make money, importing potentially sick animals from out-of-state puppy mills and deceptively passing them off to consumers as healthy pets from responsible breeders," said Matt Bershadker, ASPCA president and CEO, in a news release.

Long Island Assemblyman Anthony Palumbo is in favor of the bill but is worried that it doesn't go after puppy mills, News 12 Long Island reported. Rather, he said the bill only targets pet stores.

The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council also feels the bill targets the wrong industry.

The council is urging people to contact their elected officials and tell them that "the bad breeders this legislation targets will go untouched while responsible pet store owners pay the price and will be forced to close their doors and lay off hardworking New Yorkers."

The Assembly Bill A6298A is currently in committee.

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