"For too long, unscrupulous pet dealers have avoided
proper oversight, and placed the health of pets under their care at risk in the
name of profits," Governor Cuomo said. "This legislation closes this
loophole and creates a framework that allows regulation of these organizations
and companies and creates peace of mind for pet owners."
Current law authorizes the Department of Agriculture and
Markets to oversee and regulate municipal animal shelters and any entity
serving in that capacity under contract. The current law exempts humane
societies. This allows some unscrupulous businesses that sell animals take
advantage of this exemption, and organize as not-for-profit humane societies to
avoid the stringent importation, inspection and documentation requirements set
forth in New York's pet dealer regulations. These owners then seek to sell pets
as quickly as possible and house their animals in unsafe and unsanitary
conditions without adequate food or care.
This legislation fixes that loophole and requires
not-for-profit entities to comply with all documentation and vaccination
requirements associated with the import of pets into the state for purchase.
Potential pet owners will now have greater insight into the animals they are
seeking to adopt, and these facilities will be subject to greater oversight and
compliance.
