NY pet stores will no longer sell dogs, cats

NEW YORK (PIX11) – Pet stores across New York can no longer sell dogs, cats or bunnies thanks to a new law targeting the "inhumane" breeding industry.

The law, passed in 2022 and going into effect Sunday, targets the “puppy mill-to-pet store pipeline” that brings animals from breeding centers across the country to New York shops, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul. 

Only 24 shops are currently permitted to sell cats and dogs in New York City, according to a spokesperson for the Health Department. The city has already communicated with these stores about the new law and will start issuing fines to shops that don’t comply by Sunday. 

Statewide, shops will face fines of up to $1,000 per violation if they’re caught selling dogs and cats. 

“Stores selling cats, dogs and rabbits will finally face the music this December,” said state Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal. 

As an alternative to shutting down, New York pet stores will be allowed to rent their space to shelters for adoptions, according to Hochul. 

Most New York pet stores get their dogs from “puppy mills," or commercial breeding facilities known for poor conditions, according to the ASPCA. The puppy mills, which are concentrated in the Midwest, “misrepresent” the health and conditions of the pups, strapping New Yorkers with costly medical bills and difficult transitions, according to New York Attorney General Letitia James. 

“New York is one of the puppy mill industry’s largest markets,” according to the ASPCA. “Breeding dogs in these facilities are often kept in crowded cages their entire lives without adequate shelter, veterinary care, food or socialization.”

The new law is a huge step toward regulating the inhumane pet breeding industry and ensuring higher standards for New York pets, according to the ASPCA.