Suffolk Reporter

Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio has expressed her opposition to a proposed bill that would ban the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet stores. She argues that this legislation could harm the local economy and lead to job losses without addressing the issue of "puppy mills." Giglio contends that while the intention is to curb unethical breeding practices, the measure unfairly targets responsible pet store owners who adhere to strict standards.

During a press conference, Giglio highlighted that many pet stores already comply with stringent regulations set by New York State Agriculture and Markets. These businesses work with reputable breeders to ensure animal welfare. According to Giglio, “A blanket ban on pet sales will force these responsible pet stores out of business and put their employees out of work, creating an unnecessary burden on our community and economy while fueling puppy mills and a black market where roadside sales are already happening.”

In response, Giglio has reintroduced alternative legislation (A.6560-Aof2021-2022) which seeks a balanced approach focusing on transparency and consumer protection. This proposal includes measures such as requiring veterinarians to disclose causes of death for certain animals, authorizing inspections following specific animal deaths, and developing a public rating system for pet dealers.

Giglio emphasized the complexity of banning sales from inhumane breeding conditions: “At first glance, the idea of preventing the sale of animals bred in inhumane conditions sounds like a step in the right direction... However... it becomes clear that it’s a complicated issue that risks doing more harm than good—especially when it comes to small businesses.”

She advocates for legislation like A.6560-Aof2021-2022 which addresses unlawful breeding without penalizing small business owners: “We need legislation like A.6560-Aof2021-2022 to address unlawful breeding practices without penalizing our hardworking small business owners and their employees.”