New York state will ban pet stores from selling dogs, cats and rabbits. However, the law doesn’t take effect until the end of 2024.

Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the legislation in December of 2022 to protect animals from poor treatment and conditions in some commercial breeding operations that critics call “puppy mills.”

The law doesn’t bar the shops from showcasing animals from shelters for purposes of adoption.

Pet stores will instead be able to charge shelters rent to use the space for adoptions.