The New York State Senate approved a bill on Thursday to shut down the puppy mill pipeline and end the retail sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in pet stores across the state. Sponsored by Senate deputy majority leader, Michael Gianaris, (D-Queens), the bill, S.1130, is supported by leading animal welfare groups.

These include the The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), New York State Animal Protection Federation (NYSAPF), Voters For Animal Rights (VFAR), Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS), Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), and the NYC Bar Association’s Animal Law Committee.

A companion bill (A.4283) was introduced in the Assembly by Assembly Member Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF-Manhattan) and was recently approved by the Assembly agriculture committee.

For her part, Rosenthal, who is chair of the Assembly’s social services committee, said this could be the moment to save countless animals from suffering by cutting off the puppy mill-to-pet store pipeline once and for all. “Preventing the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in pet stores won’t just protect animals, it will also save customers the great heartache and expense that comes with falling in love with an animal that is destined by its breeding to become irreparably sick,” she said.

“My colleagues in the New York State Assembly have a long and proud record of standing up for defenseless animals. I, along with the hundreds of thousands of animal lovers in this State, are waiting to end the puppy mill-to-pet store pipeline by passing bill A.4283,” she added.

Brian Shapiro, New York State director for the Humane Society of the United States, said that New York pet stores are a notorious outlet for puppy mills, bringing thousands of animals into our state from a dark, inhumane network of cruel pet dealers. “Through the tireless work of Senator Gianaris and Assemblymember Rosenthal, we can stop the needless suffering of commercially raised pets and protect New York consumers from this shady industry,” he said.

Allie Feldman Taylor is president of Voters For Animal Rights, and said that during the pandemic, the puppy mill industry demonstrated their unscrupulous and greedy practices by preying on the emotions of consumers during a very challenging time.

“While animal shelters worked in partnership with local communities to find homes for thousands of homeless animals, the puppy mill industry ramped up breeding and sales operations to sell as many dogs and kittens as possible for the highest prices possible,” Fieldman Taylor said. “They have proven, once again, that they have no interest in protecting animals or consumers,”

She added, “Voters For Animal Rights applauds Senator Michael Gianaris for championing this transformative legislation — a win for all New Yorkers, especially consumers and homeless animals seeking a second chance at life.”

With passage in the Senate, the bill must now be approved by the Assembly, where it is currently before the Assembly Codes Committee for consideration. Animal rights activists said that if the bill is approved in that house, New York will join other states and hundreds of localities in taking a strong stand against puppy mill cruelty.

Meanwhile, the campaign for Abigail Martin, candidate in the District 11 City Council primary election, announced on Thursday, May 6, that Martin had received the backing of “Voters for Animal Rights” in the the upcoming Democratic primary election which takes place on June 22, as reported by Norwood News. 

Of the endorsement, Martin said, “We have a moral duty to care for all living creatures and treat them with dignity. When I am on the City Council, I will fight to ensure animals receive respectful treatment at the hands of humans and are protected under the law.”