Long-Awaited Law Regulating Pet Dealers In New York State Becomes Effective July 1, 2002
Monday, July 1, 2002

Backyard Breeders Must Have License To Sell Companion Animals

Contact: Stacy Wolf, Esq.
(518) 465-2061

Deborah Sindell
(212) 876-7700 ext. 4658

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(ALBANY, NY) June 28, 2002 -- Implementation of a law spearheaded by the ASPCA, which passed the New York State Legislature and was signed by Governor Pataki in 2000 requiring the licensing of people who sell dogs or cats, including "backyard breeders," takes effect Monday, July 1st. The ASPCA lobbied for the legislation, known as the "Pet Dealer Consumer Protection and Animal Care Standards Act," for four years and secured the necessary funding in this year's state budget to begin the licensing program of people who sell nine or more dogs or cats a year.
For years the ASPCA's Humane Law Enforcement Department, as well as SPCA's around the state, were confronted with horrendous situations involving sick pets being sold at pet stores without being provided proper veterinary care or housing. Records documenting the origin of the animal were not required, so important information that could prevent the spread of contagious and deadly diseases such as rabies was unobtainable. Other than health code violations or overt cruelty, law enforcement officials weren't able to crack down on some of the more notorious dealers. Some continue to sell sick animals today, as was seen most recently in western New York, where a woman, arrested and convicted of selling diseased puppies in Yates and Niagara Counties in the 1980's and 1990's, was recently under investigation for selling puppies with deadly parvovirus to unsuspecting families in Monroe and Erie Counties.

This long-awaited law to regulate the pet industry has cost many unsuspecting consumers hundreds of dollars in veterinary fees to care for the seriously ill animals they have purchased. The new law will protect both consumers and the puppies and kittens sold as pets in New York by requiring strict compliance by pet dealers with certain standards of care for the animals.

Compliance with these standards is a prerequisite to securing a license from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, the agency charged with implementing the law. Pet dealers, which will include many "backyard breeders," will not be able to do business in New York unless they have a license and must include their license number in any advertisement. "Although licensing will not occur overnight, at least we are well on our way to ensuring that the dogs and cats sold will be provided proper veterinary care, housing, and humane treatment," says Stacy Wolf, Director of the ASPCA's New York State Government Affairs and Public Policy Program. The law also contains a comprehensive consumer disclosure provision which allows prospective purchasers to review the records of the animals prior to purchase to determine any prior medical conditions and treatment, as well as their origin. "Consumers have the right to know this vital information before they make a commitment to take on the responsibility of caring for an animal," said Ms. Wolf.

The ASPCA hopes this new law will provide the impetus and oversight to prevent those pet shops and backyard breeders who do not properly care for the animals in their care from continuing to do business in New York State. The public is encouraged to inform the Department of Agriculture and Markets of pet dealers in their area to assist them in the licensing process. The Department can be reached at (518) 457-3880. For more information on the new law, contact the ASPCA's New York State Government Affairs and Public Policy Department at (518) 465-2061 or government@aspca.org.