In what will become a significant blow to commercial pet breeders, generally referred to as the puppy mill industry, California pet stores will be required to get their puppies, kittens and rabbits from rescue organizations and shelters. Beginning in January 2019, only individuals will be able to purchase pets from private breeders. For pet stores, violators could face fines of $500 per offense.
On Friday, Governor Jerry Brown signed the law covering the entire state; 36 cities including Los Angeles and San Francisco, already have similar bans against large commercial breeding operations. The bill, A.B.485 has had strong support from animal welfare organizations and was written by Patrick O’Donnell and Matt Dababneh, two Democratic California Assembly members.
Arguments for the ban included how pet stores rarely know nor do they reveal the circumstances relative to the breeding of the dogs, cats and rabbits brought into their stores for retail sale. Puppy and kitten mills have long lists of inhumane conditions as to overcrowding, lack of care, lack of socialization and the very basics of humane care.
The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council has opposed the legislation, claiming the new law would jeopardize hundreds of jobs. Pet stores, however have been dwindling in numbers for the past few years as public awareness of puppy mills draws the ire of animal advocates across the country. Still some pet store owners argue the ban prevents consumers from having their choice of purchasing a specific breed or simply not purchasing “someone else’s unwanted pet.”
“By cutting off the puppy mill pipeline that moves cruelly bred animals from across the country into California pet stores, A.B.485 will also help prevent California consumers from being duped into purchases that contribute to unconscionable animal ‘production’ and suffering,” the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said in a statement.
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(Photo of puppy mill operation via HSUS)
Check out how dogs live in puppy mills:
AWESOME!!! I wish it could go into effect sooner than 2019. It should be in effect IMMEDIATELY!!!
I agree, I wonder why it takes so long? There’s not much I agree with in California but this is great! Maybe other states will follow the lead.
Every other state in the union needs to follow suit. Why 2019? It should be instituted NOW!
Great news! All states should adopt the law to ban puppy mills.
The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Counsil is worried about the loss of jobs???? REALLY???? That’s more important then the immense daily torturous suffering of dog,cats and rabbits for the almighty dollar? And they are concerned about people having to but someone else’s unwanted pet? If someone wants a breed specific dog then there are breed specific rescues out there to take care of that issue! What a bunch of bullshit that view is! I’m thinking that The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Counsil needs to be dismantled and kicked to the curb if that’s their only concern! Sounds like they are just as immoral as the Puppy Mill owners! My state is in the process of trying to get this same issue enacted into law…..for the second time!!! We were SO CLOSE the last time BUT Pet Land filed a lawsuit against our state and the bill died! It’s only a matter of time till this is the law in all states! I’m in Ohio and there are a few more states working to get this same law enacted as we speak! Unfortunately there is still the internet selling puppy mill dogs,but banning it state wide in all 50 states will bring this cruel industry to their knees!! How about the asswipes involved in this “Counsil” and the animal abusers involved in the puppy mill industry go out and get real jobs,jobs that don’t involved the cruel torture of animals for profit!!! THANK U CALIFORNIA!!!!!
I wish they could rescue these dogs and save them!
Way to go CA. This is huge! Praying more states follow suit.
Now for all other states to follow.