Puppy mill legislation would ban cat, dog sales from local pet shops

Legislation to get rid of retail sales of puppies and kittens at local pet stores is now waiting for passage by the state Assembly.

As NewsChannel 13 reported earlier this month, the bill was passed by the state Senate.

The reality isn’t as playful or cheery as those pet shop storefronts make it out to be.

These animals have become what Bill Ketzer of the ASPCA calls a widget that doesn’t get proper veterinary care, grooming, or socialization. They’re bred purely for distribution and often times kept in wire cages no larger than a dishwasher.

The legislation penned by Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal and Senator Michael Gianeris is called the "Puppy Mill Pipeline Bill," and aims to get rid of retail sales of dogs and cats at local pet shops.

Learn how much money animal retail makes each year, and why trying to pass legislation like this has been a challenge before by watching the video of Paulina Bucka’s story.