End of puppy mills in sight

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul recently signed legislation (S.1130/A. 4283) to ban the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits at retail pet stores, aiming to stop the puppy mill-to-pet store pipeline which has, in the words of A.4283 sponsor Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, “allowed brutally inhumane puppy mills around the country to supply our pet stores and earn a profit off animal cruelty and unsuspecting consumers.”

This legislation received overwhelming bipartisan support. Only six senators and five assemblymembers voted against it. Senator Pam Helming voted for the bill; Assemblymembers Jeff Gallahan and Philip Palmesano voted against the bill, as did Senator Thomas O’Mara. Palmesano and O’Mara represent Yates County, which has been dubbed “the puppy mill capital of New York State.” Area Assemblyman Brian Manktelow also voted against the bill.

Actress and animal advocate Edie Falco said, “My dog Sami was rescued from a puppy mill, where she spent two years living in a box, in the dark, without a name and she was forced to have puppies who were sold to pet stores. I’m grateful to Gov. Hochul and New York lawmakers for taking action to protect other dogs from the horrific conditions Sami endured just to keep the cruel breeding industry in business.”

When S.1130/A.4283 was approved by New York’s legislature, the bill would have taken effect one year after it was signed into law. Hochul signed the bill but extended to pet stores and puppy mills an additional year of grace before it would take effect. While I’m grateful Hochul signed the legislation, I wish she had not changed the time before it would take effect from one year to two years.

The legislation will continue to permit pet stores to host adoption services in cooperation with animal shelters and rescue organizations to help connect people with animals needing a good home. As Hochul said when she signed S.1130/A.4283, “Dogs, cats and rabbits across New York deserve loving homes and humane treatment.” I would add that dogs, cats, and rabbits are not the only animals that we can adopt into our homes. For example, in addition to dogs I adopted, over the years I have adopted from an animal shelter many hamsters and gerbils into my home. I believe all animals are worthy of moral consideration and humane treatment by humans.

Joel Freedman Canandaigua

EDITOR’S NOTE: Letter writers are responsible for making sure the information they submit is accurate and factual.

End of puppy mills in sight

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