Breaking the Puppy Mill Cycle: How California’s Pet Store Ban Changed Animal Welfare
California made national headlines by becoming the first state to prohibit pet stores from selling animals that are bred in puppy mills. Former Governor Jerry Brown signed the legislation into law on October 13, 2017. Under this law, pet stores that wish to sell dogs, cats, or rabbits must source those animals exclusively from animal shelters or rescue organizations. The law does not restrict private breeders, who may still sell animals directly to consumers. The legislation, known as AB485, was designed to address the poor conditions commonly found in large-scale commercial breeding operations. Animals in puppy mills are often kept ...
