NY pet shops banned from selling dogs, cats, rabbits starting Sunday

Which dog in the window?

Pet stores across New York are banned from selling dogs, cats and rabbits starting Sunday because of a new law — forcing stores to clear out their furry inventory at already bargain-basement prices. Being motivated to offer.

“I never thought I would buy a dog, but if they didn’t sell, they were going to the shelter,” said Chrisjan Polonia, a 31-year-old paralegal who bought a black-and-white “teddy bear dog.” A Shih Tzu and Bichon mix – from Astoria Pets in Queens.

“Plus, kids make you do crazy things,” said Polonia, who bought the adorable dog for her son for $650, when it was originally priced at $2,800.

Puppy Mill Pipeline Act – aims to curb the flow of animals coming into the state Abusive Puppy-Mill Breeding Practices and instead encourage adoptions from overwhelmed shelters — the law took effect Sunday, two years after Gov. Kathy Hochul signed it into law.

So all across New York City, it was a buyer’s market for potential pet owners over the weekend.

Ingrid Rodriguez, 25, bought the 10-week-old Pomeranian at Astoria Pets for $1,300, down from $1,450.

One buyer brought home a $3,250 Corgi puppy for just $500 cash.

“That wasn’t the plan,” Rodriguez told The Post. “I was walking with my mom, and she saw the sign, and she wanted to come in. We went in, and you know, holding the dog to my chest…”

He said he had “mixed feelings” about the law but hoped it would discourage people from breeding dogs illegally.

“I’m in favor of changing the law, I was a veterinarian, unlicensed,” Polonia said.

But pet store owners who cut the bargain for customers couldn’t disagree more with the law — insisting countless small businesses that follow ethical practices have no choice but to close their doors over it. will be.

“I have been here for 42 years. “For the last eight years the city has told us that we have to only buy from breeders that they give a Class A license to,” said Don D’Alessio, 73, owner of Astoria Pets, adding that he has followed all the city’s rules. Have followed closely. Handed over – only they have now been asked to ban the sale of pets altogether.

“Two years ago, they passed a law saying you can’t buy from anyone! You can’t stay in business. We are out of business! We are not going to last,” he said. “I can’t sell cheap supplies online. All I hear all day is, ‘$14?! I can get it at Chewy for $5!’ We will not survive. were done.”

“I know a hundred or twenty businesses are closing almost immediately,” he said. “There are about 2,500 employees from Albany to Montauk.

“We have never had any violations here, look at the paperwork. Fifteen years of paperwork, not a single violation.”

D’Alessio said she was forced to take out all of her dogs over the weekend or send them to a shelter.

He said he sold all 21 dogs he owned — except for three he had given away to longtime customers who weren’t able to purchase them.

“I am out. My work is done. I am 73 years old. I have six children, two of whom work for me. I have six grandchildren. (New York officials) have no idea what they’re doing to small businesses in the state,” D’Alessio said.

On the other hand, activist groups including NYC’s New York Animal Care Center are happy to see an end to practices they say promote inhumane breeding.

“For too long, pet stores have been the last stop in a cruel supply chain that treats sentient beings as commodities,” ACC President Rhys Weinstock said in a statement. “This legislation not only helps close that pipeline but also highlights humane alternatives like adoption from shelters.”

Best Friends Animal Society called the ban “a long shot.”

“Too often, pets sold at pet stores are raised in puppy mill conditions that are often inhumane and prioritize profit over humane care,” a representative for the group told The Paws on Sunday. “The reality is that the dogs in these facilities, which are used to breed puppies, often spend their entire lives in wire crates without adequate shelter, veterinary care, food or socialization.

The representative said, “When people no longer have the option of purchasing from a pet store, which seems the easiest but is often not the best option, there is more incentive for people to explore the option of adoption.” will get.” is now Option to rent out your space For overflow shelters.