California has been the first US state to prohibit puppy factories from raising products.
A new legislation introduced Friday ensures that whether they choose to sell pets, cats or rabbits, pet retailers are expected to partner with animal shelters or rescue operations.
This is a groundbreaking step in the fight against large-scale operations that raise dogs for profit with 36 communities throughout the state, including Los Angeles , San Francisco and San Diego, now holding prohibitions on mass breeding. Puppy mills have been highly criticized for refusing to offer importance to animal health and for maintaining livestock in overcrowded and over-breeding conditions.
Supporters of the law say it calls for fair animal care.
Matt Bershadker, president and CEO of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, told Business Insider: “This landmark law breaks the supply chain of puppy mills that push puppies into pet stores in California and has allowed unscrupulous breeders to profit from abusive practices.”
But the pet shop industry reacted to the ban by claiming that the amendments weaken substantial customer safety.
Gov. Jerry Brown, who had approved the bill, did not elaborate on his judgment. In the UK animal welfare activists have even campaigned for stricter regulations on puppy purchases.
The RSPCA has been conducting a program since 2015 to discourage human puppy trade to insure that all puppies are raised in an atmosphere that prioritizes their health.
This was revealed in February this year that the selling of puppies under the age of eight weeks would be deemed unlawful and anyone who owns or markets three or more liters of puppies a year will have to register for a specific license. However, those who thought it didn’t go far enough also opposed the change. Neil Parish MP, president of the Committee on the Climate, Health and Rural Affairs supported the decision but stated he was disappointed that the government had not prohibited the selling of pets to third parties.
