New CA state law bans ‘puppy mill’ dogs being sold in pet stores

A victory for shelters and animal advocates alike.

Starting in 2019, pet stores will only be allowed to sell dogs, cats and rabbits that are considered rescue animals.

It’s what John Welsh with Riverside County Animal Services said shelters have been working towards for years.

“Riverside County has had a lot of our fingers in Sacramento,” Welsh said. “For the longest time, we’ve been advocates for a lot of legislation, some stuff that died or didn’t have the support the lawmakers didn’t want to touch it. Anything from mandatory spay and neuter to all kinds of other stuff.”

The law is designed to help stop the sale of “mill-bred” animals, and to cut down on the abuse seen at “puppy mills” and “kitten factories,” where animals are often bred in deplorable conditions.

“People want to see these animals that are in this type of shelter get saved, and now this legislation will make that happen even more so,” Welsh said.

Many valley cities including Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, La Quinta and Indio all passed laws banning pet stores.

But in Palm Desert, it’s a different story.

We reached out to Palm Desert Puppies to see what they thought of the new law, but have yet to hear back.

Welsh said this really is a win for pet stores, because now they can sell shelter animals.

“I could be one of the non-profit rescue groups that says, ‘Can you put three of these animals in your store,’ and because they’re rescue animals that’s fine,” Welsh said.

The bill’s sponsor said California taxpayers spend $250 million to house and to euthanize shelter animals each year.

Animal advocates hope this new ban helps find homes for the deserving animals in need of a second chance.

The law will take effect on January 1, 2019.

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