Not enough to make a real difference
Bee Editorial
July 11, 2024

Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation ending puppy mill to pet store sales in 2022, set to take effect in December 2024.
The legislation, dubbed by many animal lovers as the puppy mill pipeline law, targets puppy mills’ ability to do business, the majority of which are concentrated in the Midwest, who then ship the pets to states around the nation.

There’s three glaring problems with this piece of legislation: the majority of pet shops in New York state have already stopped selling puppies; the legislation only takes aim at sales between pet shops and puppy mills, leaving out direct purchases by individual owners from puppy mills; and if this legislation is an acknowledgment of the pain and suffering of not only puppies but also kittens and rabbits sold by large-scale breeding operations, why did we delay its enforcement by two years?

“Dogs, cats and rabbits across New York deserve loving homes and humane treatment,” Hochul said at the time of the law’s passage. “I’m proud to sign this legislation, which will make meaningful steps to cut down on harsh treatment and protect the welfare of animals across the state.”

Even though Hochul’s sentiment is easy to agree with, this incoming legislation to protect animal welfare in New York state falls flat, a gesture more than an action. Of course, any law to decrease the suffering of animals in New York state – even marginally – is a good one, but there are far more “meaningful steps” that could be taken in the future.

We encourage anyone with strong beliefs about preventing the cruelty and neglect stemming from out-of-state commercialized breeding to write their assemblymember, county legislator, state senator or the governor’s office to voice your desire for an official end to all puppy mill sales in New York state.