California bans pet store sales of non-rescue dogs, cats
A California law banning pet stores from selling non-rescue dogs, cats and rabbits will go into effect Jan. 1, 2019. Pet store operators will have to provide records of origin for the animals or face a $500 penalty per animal. Individuals may still purchase animals from private breeders.
Under the Pet Rescue and Adoption Act, pet stores may only sell dogs, cats and rabbits from a public animal control agency or shelter, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals shelter, humane society shelter, or rescue group in cooperation with an animal shelter.
The law, known as the Pet Rescue and Adoption Act, was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown in October 2017. California is the first state to enact such legislation.
The bill was not without controversy as animal rescue, welfare and shelter groups like the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) supported the bill while the American Kennel Club and Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council were among the opponents of the bill.
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