NYC: Make your voice heard! Ban the sale of pets in NYC stores!
(c) The Humane Society
MORE INFO: Humane Society link.
NEW YORK CONSTITUENTS! Super important message regarding NYS bill S.4234/A.6298, to ban the sale of pets in stores. As you know, several cities have banned the sale of pets in stores. But not NYC!! Not yet, anyway… This could all change now. Please read and take action!
The majority of puppies, kittens and rabbits sold in pet stores come from mills: intensive breeding facilities where there is little concern for the health and wellbeing of the animals. Families who purchase animals from stores are often burdened with pet health problems that can cost thousands of dollars in veterinary visits or lead to a lifetime of medical complications. Buyers are often lied to and guilt-tripped into buying (sick) animals. Not to mention the way these pets are sometimes treated, as shown by this (graphic) video, captured in 2017 during an undercover operation by the Humane Society in a pet store in Manhattan. The store was since closed, and the former owner is now facing a lawsuit from the city Department of Consumer Affairs.
All of this could change now!! And we need YOUR voice! NYS bill S.4234/A.6298 was recently introduced and it will restrict retail sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in pet stores. The bill will only allow for adoption of animals who belong to animal welfare nonprofits (the adoption fees would go directly to them).
The first step in the legislative process is a review/approval by the Domestic Animal Welfare Committee before moving on to a vote by the State Assembly and State Senate and ultimately Governor Cuomo. Senator Monica Martinez (who is big on rescue) is the chair of that Committee. The idea is to get 3-6 calls to her office every day from New York State constituents requesting that she support the bill.
Her Hauppauge office # is: 631-360-3356.
An example of what constituents can say is:
“Hello, I am a constituent of Senator Martinez and I live in _________. I'm asking Senator Martinez to support bill S.4234/A.6298, to stop the sale of puppy mill animals in pet stores. Her vote to pass this bill in committee is appreciated.”
For more information, please visit this Humane Society link. From that link, you can also send a written message to the Legislators.
This is the time to get involved, and make HUGE change for the pets of NYC, rescues, and pet owners. Please, take a moment to make your voice heard! (NY State constituents only).