New York: Don't Let Pet Stores Support Cruel Puppy and Kitten Mills

Animal advocates across the country have been working hard to protect dogs and cats from inhumane puppy and kitten mills that continue to mass produce animals – all while thousands wait in shelters and rescues for forever homes.

It's a vicious cycle that pet stores are supporting, but New York could soon become the next state to end it.

A new bill (S. 7711), which was recently introduced by Senator Michael Gianaris, would ban pet stores in the state from selling dogs and cats, unless they were obtained from a shelter or rescue group.

As the bill's justification points out, problems with puppy mills have been well documented across the nation, and pet stores are perpetuating the problem by stocking poorly cared for and mistreated animals who often come with health and behavioral problems that will affect them for the rest of their lives – all while shelters in the state have many perfectly healthy and adoptable dogs, but are struggling to compete with designer breeds that come from mills.

Supporters hope this legislation will help crack down on the notorious mills operating in the U.S. by closing a huge market for the animals they produce that are sold in pet stores. Not only will this help save the lives of dogs and cats in need of homes and reduce the demand for more from breeders, it will help protect consumers, and relieve taxpayers who are ultimately paying for shelters to house and kill animals.

Thankfully, growing awareness about the problem is bringing positive changes across the country. In the U.S., dozens of major cities across the nation have taken a stand against puppy mills by passing laws shutting down pet store sales, or are working towards that goal, while California just became the first state in the nation to pass a statewide ban.

Now it's time for New York to do the same.

Please sign this petition urging lawmakers in New York to pass this important piece of legislation to protect companion animals.