Democratic New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a law this week banning the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in pet stores in an effort to eliminate animal cruelty at so-called “puppy mills,” NBC News reports.
Instead of selling animals from commercial breeders, the stores can serve as agents for local animal shelters and adoption groups, hosting events to showcase animals available for adoption. The stores may charge fees to the groups, but really, why would they because they’re developing new customers and providing a public service.
California, Maryland and Illinois have similar laws in place banning the sale of commercially bred pets in stores. The advocates for the dozens of pets stores operating in the state say the law will shut their businesses down while doing nothing to improve the conditions of in-state breeders or out-of-state providers.