Cuomo signs legislation increasing health and safety standards for pet dealers
Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed legislation (S.3828/A.216) to increase health and safety standards in animal care for all pet dealers. The enhancements set clear guidelines for sanitary living enclosures and food receptacles, annual veterinary examinations, regular grooming, diurnal light cycles, and separate spaces for pregnant dogs which provide sufficient room to nurse and care for a litter.
“If pet dealers are going to profit from the sale of living animals, they should at the very least adhere to basic standards of decency and care,” Governor Cuomo said. “These new rules will create safer, more sanitary and more humane conditions for animals while they wait for a new permanent home.”
Under the new law, the minimum standards of care for all pets in the custody of pet dealers will be raised to require that primary enclosures for animals must be cleaned daily and sanitized every two weeks. Isolation areas for ill animals must meet the housing requirements for healthy animals.
“Starting today, New York State will ensure that pet dealers will be held to standards that will promote the safety, good health, and overall well-being of the animals in their care,” said Assembly Member Amy Paulin. “There have been too many instances when pet dealers have neglected to properly groom animals in their charge, and those animals have been found with overgrown nails, excessive matting of fur, and infestations of fleas and ticks. With this law, we will prevent this kind of negligent treatment.”
