­­­­­Animal activists urging Gov. Hochul to sign Puppy Mill Pipeline Legislation

Animal rights activists and state legislators are asking the governor to sign a bill into law that they say will help all pets have a chance to be happy and healthy. 
The Puppy Mill Pipeline Legislation bans retailers from selling dogs, cats and rabbits. Instead, stores would partner with local shelters for the adoption of rescues.  
“This business no longer works,” said Libby Post, executive director of the New York State Animal Protection Federation. “But there is an option for them to become a humane business.” 
According to Post, there are currently 70 retailers selling animals in the state. Advocates for the bill say that while New York’s puppy mills don’t sell to retailers in the state, mills in other states do. 
She said the prices for pets soared during the pandemic with the average puppy costing up to $5,000, double what they used to be. 
“"There are people who got a puppy from a puppy mill, or pet store, or a puppy mill outlet, during covid, and are now bringing them and redeeming them at the shelters because they can't take care of them anymore,” said Post.  
The bill has yet to make it to the governor’s desk, but if it gets signed into law, the bill will go into effect one year after.