New York recently announced that it would become yet another state to ban the sale of dogs and cats, along with rabbits. They join the ranks of numerous other states, counties, and cities that are banning the retail sale of some of America’s most common pets.
The move is part of an effort to curb pet mills that often operate in squalid conditions and result in a horrific amount of abuse against animals. Many New York politicians hope that this will cut off the revenue source of this cruel industry.
The law will not force pet shops to close down, instead it will force stores to cooperate with rescue operations to ensure the massive number of animals already without homes have a chance to be adopted. However, there are critics that argue that the law does not go far enough.
The law will not regulate private breeders, leaving a potential loophole for the continued mass breeding of animals. It likewise does nothing to ensure that conditions in such operations improve. Along with all this, it does nothing to curb operations happening outside the state or their import into New York.
Many animal advocacy groups have called for a complete ban on all institutions that are selling animals for profit. They argue that this could help improve the conditions and reduce the number of animals that spend their lives in cramped cages.
Some residents, especially pet store owners, have argued that the law is heavy-handed and still leaves many cracks for those operating abusive operations within the state. People United to Promote Pet Integrity (“PUPPI”), a group of people created to support the pet store and animal retail industry in New York, has also spoken out against the new legislation, expressing their hope that the law will be reformed.
While some are certainly upset, and the law seems to be insufficient to protect the health and wellbeing of animals in New York, it is at least an attempt. It is highly likely that as time goes on and people continue to pay more attention to animal welfare, there will be an increasing number of similar laws passed across the US and the world to curb the flagrant abuse of animals.