Statement by Pet Advocacy Network President and CEO Mike Bober Regarding S.1130 and A.4283, NY Legislation to Prohibit the Sale of Dogs, Cats and Rabbits by Pet Stores

“We are disappointed that the New York Senate has passed S.1130 and urge the state Assembly to reject this legislation as written. This legislation will do nothing to stop bad breeders across the country, it will only harm regulated and inspected New York pet stores, the licensed breeders they work with, and the customers who depend on them for healthy puppies, kittens, and rabbits to bring home as beloved pets. Taking away a pet source that provides legal safeguards for both animals and consumers not only goes against the state’s stellar record of strong consumer protections, but it will also encourage growth of the unregulated black market that has zero oversight and where New York families could fall victim to fraud. According to the Better Business Bureau, pet scams surged over 200 percent from 2019 to 2020, rising to over one-third of all online scams. Veterinarians.org reports that the state with the most puppy scams in 2021 was California, where a ban went into effect in 2019. Without regulated pet stores pet fraud will only get worse, and the health and well-being of more animals and the families who bring them home will be put at risk. While rescuing a homeless animal is an excellent option for many families, it does not work for those who want a specific breed or need one due to common occurrences like allergies, the presence of small children, or space concerns. We urge New York lawmakers to protect animal welfare by considering Assemblymember Pretlow’s approach in Assembly Bill 7522-A that strikes a sensible balance to properly regulate pet stores instead.”

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About Pet Advocacy Network

The Pet Advocacy Network, formerly known as the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC), connects the experience and expertise of the responsible pet care community to lawmakers and governing bodies, advocating for legislative and regulatory priorities at the local, state, federal and international levels. Since 1971, the organization has worked to promote animal well-being and responsible pet ownership, foster environmental stewardship, and ensure access to healthy pets, including small animals, cats, dogs, fish, reptiles and birds. Pet Advocacy Network members include retailers, companion animal suppliers, manufacturers, wholesale distributors, manufacturers’ representatives, pet hobbyists, and other trade organizations.

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