Pet Dealer Licensing Law in Jeopardy

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Monday, 1 April 2002

On August 16, 2000, Governor Pataki signed into law the "Pet Dealer Consumer Protection and Animal Care Standards Act" a measure prompted by deplorable "backyard breeder" situations throughout New York State that resulted in animal cruelty cases. Most notable, perhaps, was the Highland Kennels II case in Saratoga County that helped convince the legislature that the time had come to regulate the pet dealer industry in New York. The portion of the law that will protect the puppies and kittens sold as pets in this state by requiring licensing and inspection of pet dealers was scheduled to take effect on April 1, 2002, but has already been delayed for 30 days until April 30th. The law is now in jeopardy unless the funding necessary to implement it is included in this year's state budget.

New York residents have waited many years for this important animal welfare and consumer protection law. They should not have to witness even one more animal cruelty case that could have been prevented by regulation of the pet dealer industry. The money needed to implement this law (estimated at between $200,000 and $800,000) is a nominal amount of the state budget. The impact of the law on the dogs and cats sold as pets in this state, will, however, be enormous.

According to Stacy Wolf, Esq., Director of New York State Government Affairs for the ASPCA, "Postponing the law for yet another year could well mean it will be postponed indefinitely. Governor Pataki and the legislature should keep the promise they made to New Yorkers twenty months ago when this measure became law and ensure the funding needed to implement it this year".

For more information, or to contact American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, see their website at: www.aspca.org