URGENT: Stop NYC’s Harmful Bird-Sale Ban

Tell the City Council: Don’t Push Pet Stores Out of Business

The New York City Council Health Committee is currently considering legislation that would ban the sale of all birds in retail pet stores—even long-domesticated species like budgies, cockatiels, canaries, and finches. While well intentioned, this bill, like so many pet sale bans before it, including the one recently enacted by the state legislature, will simply close well-regulated small businesses, while emboldening the bad actors we all want held to account. This proposal won’t protect animals—it will put small, reputable businesses out of work, eliminating consumer protections, and fuel a black market. 

This proposal follows a troubling pattern here New York: New York State has already forced many well-regulated pet stores that sold dogs and cats to close, wiping out long-standing well-regulated local businesses who had been part of the community for decades. 

Now, they’re coming for our birds.

This bill will shutter pet stores that have served their communities for years—stores that are licensed, inspected, and provide responsible bird care, and resources to families who have welcomed birds into their homes. These well-regulated, licensed and inspected stores are not the problem—and they shouldn’t be the target, and it will only drive bird sales underground. When legal, regulated options disappear, unlicensed backyard breeders, online sellers, and street vendors step in. That’s bad for birds and worse for consumers. 

This bill also simply ignores the facts, while deliberately misleading the public about the shelter system. Many birds sold in pet stores are well-socialized, domesticated species that do well in homes with proper care. Suggesting all bird ownership is harmful is misleading and unfair. Additionally most bird rescues in NYC are overburdened and do not have the species families typically seek. Adoption is a great option—but it’s not available or accessible to everyone. Additionally, this proposal would remove consumer protections, putting animals and people at risk. 

We’ve already lost dozens of pet stores due to legislation enacted in the last year targeting dog and cat sales—stores that complied with strict animal welfare laws and served their neighborhoods for decades and New York should not be in the business of closing well-respected, community-rooted small businesses. 

This bill continues the harmful trend of punishing the well-regulated, law abiding and reputable stores for the actions of bad actors and misinformation.  

TAKE ACTION!

Use our letter to send a message to the Health Committee members that you oppose this harmful bill TODAY!