2019 is set to be a kinder year for animals in the state of California, as a new statewide law went into effect on the 1st of January barring retail pet stores from selling kittens, rabbits, and puppies that aren’t sourced from rescue organizations or shelters.
Effectively barring cruel puppy and kitten mills from the retail sector, Assembly Bill 485 requires these animals to come from a public control agency or shelter, humane society group, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals shelter or a rescue group that has an agreement with a private or public shelter. Retailers who violate this law will be fined $500.
Signed by Governor Jerry Brown in October 2017, this measure makes California the first state in the US to introduce such rules; however, there are currently at least 230 regional areas in the U.S. that have similar regulations in place — including more than 30 in California.
Although this is a huge step forward for animal welfare in the nation and a blow to cruel puppy and kitten mills, people will still be able to buy animals directly from breeders if they choose.
While organizations such as the American Kennel Club (ACK) claim that the bill will damage respectable breeders, animal welfare organizations maintain that any good breeder would refuse to sell their animals via a pet store.
It is hoped that this new law will help reduce the burden on animal shelters across the state, along with the taxpayers, who spend over $250 million annually on supporting these rescue centers, which are often overloaded with unwanted animals.
Puppy, kitten and rabbit mills are horrific places. The animals are squeezed into tiny wire cages, receive nutrient-deficient diets, kept in unhygienic conditions and denied the basic freedoms of socialization, veterinary care, and exercise.
Because animals are bred vigorously, inbreeding often causes physical problems that might not be picked up until later in life.
We applaud this move by California and hope that 2019 sees many other states follow their lead.
DON’T SHOP (because in this way you supporting cruel cats and dogs mills , where they being abused and mistreated) , better ADOPT or TAKE HOMELESS ANIMAL from street , i saved and gave home or handed to my good friends lots of cats which where homeless , at the moment i have one cat she is mixed breed but you know what breed means nothing , cause everyone who saw this cat saying they never seen such a pretty cat in their life . And when i found her she was kinda funny looking cat but with love and care she became beauty. Why to buy and support cruelty , while you can save life for someone for free???
There are places that are selling puppies in strip malls. Will they now be forced to shut down ( they should be and should have never been in existence in the first place).
I HOPE THEY WILL CHECK ON THESE STORES IN THE MALLS WHERE THEY SELL PUPPIES ENOUGH IS ENOUGH THIS IS THE TIMES FOR JUSTICE FOR ALL ANIMALS !!!
Great news. I hope this will not create a lot of illegal sales under the table. Working toward the best for companion animals is win – win for everyone. Adopt don’t shop. All of my pets have been rescues – 1 was even a purebred German Shepherd. Each was just as capable of giving and needing love and affection. My blind rescue dog was the most amazing of all. Proof positive that you don’t need to get a pet at a so-called pet store.
I adopted Gizzy, Thori & now angel Sisi (https://www.facebook.com/Gizzy-Thori-and-lil-Angel-Sisi-da-second-hand-kittehz-576379702467034/) from private, but nobody but me wanted them, Gizzy´s been abused badly in his former home & has been totally shy & traumatized, Thori has feline ADHD & angel Sisi was a then already 12 yo dwarf kitty, I saved them from spending the rest of their lives at some shelter… Our family only bought one kitty as kitten, our Siamese kitty Suleika (Dec. 1978-May 1996), the other 6 were, except for one whom we had gotten from a then Tupperware collegue of our mum & whom we had to return after a few weeks because our 2 adult kitties didn´t come home anymore, abandoned or from our local shelter!!!
This is FANTASTIC! I hope the other 49 and D.C. will follow suit sooner rather than later.
Bravo! As a California resident and animal lover, I am thrilled this law is in effect so stop the murder of homeless victims in shelters and proud of our state as a leader in human compassion for animals. I hope other states and countries will follow our lead now and save lives..
Yay, yay yay!!!!
All other states must take note & do the same. Harsh punishment for any animal abusers must be instituted by all states!
I hope the rest of the country follows suit.
Wasn’t New Jersey first?
Fabulous news.
The ONLY thing for which CALIFORNIA deserves praise…FINALLY…did something RIGHT!
Agreed. About time, too.
Great !
Praise the people in California, I sure hope all other states will follow suit.
Que la France suive cet exemple!
Bravo California. Califirnia is a very profressive state.
California is a progressive state in many ways. Puppy mills are places of horrific cruelty and suffering. The American Kennel Club should be ashamed for trying to make the public believe that breeders would be compromised by this ban. Puppy mills are not owned or run by breeders. They are owned and run by greedy profiteers. As for those ‘reputable’ breeders out there one would wonder why they aren’t taking a stand against these horrific mills and the suffering they cause to thousands and thousands of animals every year. Stop breeding and start saving the dogs and cats in shelters.
Way past time for EVERY STATE- MILLIONS of animals are cruelly euthanized because they are homeless. End the inhumanity…
***ADOPT DON’T SHOP
I did not think North Carolina had been selling these animals retail for a long time? is this not correct? I haven’t seen a pet store since I was a child and I am over 50. Please let me know. Thanks so much.
California.