What's happening
This bill prohibits retail pet shops in New York from selling dogs or cats, except for adoptions through approved animal organizations.
Why it matters
Targets the commercial breeding pipeline. By prohibiting retail pet shops from selling dogs or cats sourced from breeders, the bill aims to disrupt the demand that fuels large-scale commercial breeding operations, which are often criticized for poor animal welfare standards.
Promotes rescue and adoption. The exception for adoptions through registered animal organizations encourages pet shops to partner with shelters and rescue groups, potentially increasing adoption rates for homeless animals and reducing euthanasia in shelters.
Limits consumer options for impulse purchases. By removing the option to buy dogs and cats directly from pet shops, the bill may reduce impulsive pet purchases that can lead to higher rates of pet abandonment, as consumers will need to seek out breeders directly or adopt through organizations.
Shifts business models for pet shops. Retailers may need to adapt by focusing on pet supplies, services, and facilitating adoptions, rather than profiting from the direct sale of animals, which could change the landscape of the pet retail industry in New York.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Pet Store Dog, Cat Sales
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to agriculture
- Referred to agriculture
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Ban Sale of Pets in Stores
In Senate Committee · Domestic Animal Welfare · Sponsor Michael Gianaris
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6299
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
March 5, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. L. ROSENTHAL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Agriculture
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law and the general business law, in relation to the prohibition on the sale of dogs and/or cats by retail pet shops
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 4 of section 400 of the agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a new paragraph (d) to read as follows:
(d) Any retail pet shop as defined in subdivision eight of section seven hundred fifty-two of the general business law.
§ 2. The opening paragraph of subdivision 3 of section 752 of the general business law, as amended by chapter 168 of the laws of 2017, is amended and a new paragraph (d) is added to read as follows:
For purposes of section seven hundred fifty-three of this article, a "pet dealer" shall mean any person who, in the ordinary course of business, engages in the sale or offering for sale of more than nine animals per year for profit to the public. Such definition shall include breeders of animals who sell or offer for sale animals directly to a consumer but it shall not include any retail pet shop as defined in subdivision eight of this section, municipal pound or shelter established and maintained pursuant to subdivision one of section one hundred fourteen of the agriculture and markets law, or any duly incorporated society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, duly incorporated humane society, duly incorporated animal protective association or other duly incorporated animal adoption or animal rescue organization that is tax exempt pursuant to paragraph (3) of subsection (c) of section 501 of the federal Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. 501, or any subsequent corresponding sections of the federal Internal Revenue Code, as from time to time amended, that is registered with the department pursuant to section four hundred eight of the agriculture and markets law. For purposes of
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00557-01-9
A. 6299 2
sections seven hundred fifty-three-a, seven hundred fifty-three-b, seven hundred fifty-three-c and seven hundred fifty-three-d of this article, "pet dealer" shall mean any person who engages in the sale or offering for sale of more than nine animals per year for profit to the public. Such definition shall include breeders who sell animals; but it shall not include the following:
(d) Any retail pet shop as defined in subdivision eight of this section.
§ 3. Section 752 of the general business law is amended by adding a new subdivision 8 to read as follows:
8. "Retail pet shop" means a for-profit establishment open to the public that sells or offers for sale animals to be kept as household pets, pet food or supplies.
§ 4. The general business law is amended by adding a new section 753-f to read as follows:
§ 753-f. Prohibition on sale of dogs or cats by retail pet shops. A retail pet shop shall not sell, offer to sell, barter, auction, or otherwise transfer ownership of any dog or cat, provided that this section shall not be construed to prohibit a retail pet shop from collaborating with the following entities to provide space to showcase cats or dogs owned by these entities for the purpose of adoption: any duly incorporated society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, duly incorporated humane society, duly incorporated animal protective association or other duly incorporated animal adoption or animal rescue organization that is exempt from taxes pursuant to paragraph (3) of subsection (c) of section 501 of the federal Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. 501, or any subsequent corresponding sections of the federal Internal Revenue Code, as from time to time amended, that is registered with the department pursuant to section four hundred eight of the agriculture and markets law.
§ 5. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.