Reaction of a local pet shop to a New York law that prohibits retail pet sales

East Rochester, New York – On December 15, a new legislation will take effect that prohibits registered pet dealers with retail locations from selling dogs, cats, or rabbits.

Two years ago, Governor Kathy Hochul signed the legislation into law.

While some retail pet retailers said the regulation was unjust, the New York State Attorney General’s office and the legislation’s co-sponsors maintained it would safeguard customers and animals.

The purpose of the Puppy Mill Pipeline Act is to prohibit the purchase and sale of animals from extensive breeding facilities referred to as “puppy mills.”

Retail pet stores who have been doing things correctly are being punished by the law, according to Mary Pat Feeney, manager of Pet World in East Rochester.

“We don’t think this law will have an impact on puppy mills, as they are already operating largely unnoticed,” Feeney clarified. In actuality, they are getting rid of the regulated supply rather than the unregulated one. We are inspected and registered. We can be inspected by New York State whenever they’d like.

Retail pet retailers that continue to sell pets after December 15 risk fines of up to $1,000 per infraction, according to New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Pets can still be adopted from licensed breeders, animal rescues, and humane societies.

“It should be a time of excitement and joy to bring a new pet into the family, but frequently, animals from ‘puppy mills’ suffer from serious medical issues, leaving families devastated by their sick pet and with a hefty bill to pay,” James said. “The hazardous puppy mill to pet store pipeline that puts pets in danger and costs New Yorkers thousands of dollars in veterinary care will be stopped in part by this pet sale ban.”

James prevailed in a lawsuit earlier this year against a Long Island pet shop that was allegedly selling sick puppies illegally.

According to Feeney, Pet World only works with certified, inspected breeders and closely abides by the state’s current puppy “lemon law.” Although the family business has been in operation for 52 years, she said that they will not be closing even if they will no longer be able to sell dogs after December 15.

“At present, we have six dogs remaining. “One is on hold, and the other is going home on Friday,” Feeney stated. “We’ve been a fish store for years, so we are trying to ramp up the birds, and the plant sales and the fish sales, so we definitely will still be here.”