Email this page to a friend

Mill Valley, CA…A bill requiring the licensing and inspection of pet stores and breeders who sell dogs and cats in New York was just signed into law by Governor George Pataki, In Defense of Animals (IDA) has learned. The new law requires dealers, breeders and sellers to follow minimum humane standards of care and to keep medical and veterinary records of the animals they sell.

"Although this new law may help puppies and kittens on a short term basis, it will do nothing to stem the tide of the millions of animals bred on puppy mills while millions more languish and die in our nation's shelters," said IDA President, Elliot Katz, DVM. "A much more needed law would be a moratorium on the breeding and selling of companion animals until we can drastically reduce the millions of animals being killed in shelters, including thousands upon thousands in New York alone. Regrettably, without a very strong educational program that encourages people to adopt and rescue animals, while simultaneously discouraging the breeding and buying of animals, the suffering and death of millions of healthy and loving companion animals will continue to increase."

The new law is intended to protect animals and consumers by demanding accountability by sellers and breeders, but in the long run, it may in fact cause more harm than good. The public may actually be lulled into a false sense of security with the State Senate, Assembly and Governor now endorsing purchasing a puppy or kitten from pet store or breeder.

"Unfortunately, this new law may increase the number of animals being so callously bred on puppy mills and by backyard breeders because the government is now saying that it is okay to purchase one of these animals,"said Marshall Smith, IDA's Director of Investigations. "As a former USDA puppy mill inspector, I have first hand knowledge of the abysmal and sickening conditions animals are forced to endure on puppy mills. This new law will do virtually nothing to help the poor, unfortunate breeding female who is forced to spend her entire life producing litter after litter while often living in nothing more than a cramped, wire cage.

"A commercial breeding facility, even with the latest innovation, best breeding stock, and best veterinary care still is fraught with fundamental problems that cannot be ethically justified," said Smith. "These facilities are designed to ease the tasks of feeding, watering, cleaning and sanitation with virtually no attention to the needs and interests of the animals confined in them. And, as a result, animals are often born with severe genetic and psychological problems that are not detected until later in life. Unfortunately, these animals usually end up being surrendered and then killed in our nation's shelters for a lack of space and homes. It's a vicious cycle that is all perpetuated by people putting emphasis on the breeding and selling of animals instead of adopting and rescuing them."

More information about IDA's Puppy Mills Campaign