Fido would likely be wagging his tail if he knew stricter laws were recently adopted to protect his four-legged brethren in Albany County.
The Albany County Legislature on Monday, June 9, unanimously approved a local law requiring the permitting of cat and dog sellers, along with regulating breeders. Animal advocates spoke favorably of the tighter regulations and standards aiming to curb inhumane treatment alongside implementing regular enforcement. At least one local pet store owner is against the law though, claiming it’s unnecessary government intervention.
Legislators adopted the law largely as first presented, but Democrats did make a concession to reach bipartisan support, according to Gary Domalewicz, D-Albany. The threshold for someone to obtain a pet seller permit was increased from 10 dogs or cats annually to 17.
“Albany County will have the first and strongest law in the state that will protect our pets and our pet owners,” Domalewicz said. “This bill is going to make sure that you get pets that are really top shelf, in good health and well groomed.”
State lawmakers in January repealed a 15-year prohibition on local laws regulating the pet industry. This allows communities to craft its own regulations, which must at least meet state regulations but can exceed it.
The county’s law regulates minimum standards of care such as necessary housing, exercise, grooming, sanitation and feeding and watering. Consumer protections are also included.
Domalewicz and legislator Bryan Clenahan, D-Guilderland, crafted the law working with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Clenahan said a “small handful” of pet sellers and breeders had expressed the United States Department of Agriculture and the state Department of Agriculture and Markets were effectively performing inspections.
“The reality is … only 15 people work on these investigations for Ag. and Markets in the entire state,” Clenahan said. “And of those 15, they only work on these issues about 25 percent of the time.”
Clenahan also claimed there are only 70 veterinary inspectors working countrywide for the USDA, with “only one maybe two” operating in the state.
“This is creating a situation with really no oversight,” he said. “Many breeders and pet sellers operate completely in the shadows with little or no fear of oversight or regulation. This has led to far too many animals being kept in cruel, unsafe and unsanitary conditions.”
Ted Bell, owner of Pet Zone in Crossgates Mall, said pet stores were unfairly being characterized as ignoring immoral breeding. Clenahan previously said pet sellers too often “turn a blind eye” to the practices of breeders.
“We work very hard to prevent this type of thing,” Bell said. “Every pet store puppy comes with a micro chip … and I have a five year warranty. Business 101 tells us any industry … can’t survive if you’re not putting out a good product.”
Bell, a Knox native, referenced two cases of breeders having violations. One breeder asked for help and has since passed every inspection. The other breeder did not improve conditions and is no longer in business, he said.
“That is how the system works, government and business working together,” said Bell. “We all want responsible breeding. … Substandard breeding just does not work.”
Clenahan contended issues the law addresses are “happening every day.” He also claimed 99 percent of puppies sold at pet stories come from “puppy mills.”
“Nearly all the puppies at pet stores have some kind of parasite. Nearly half of them have some kind of illness,” he said. “Local Law C will put an end to this in Albany County. … It’s also going to protect the honest and reputable sellers and breeders.”
Bell said his biggest concern is how the law enforcement will be handled, because non- governmental agencies could perform the inspections. He contended “retail” animal rescue organizations exist, but did not specify any local examples.
“Local Law C will have unintended consequences for businesses,” Bell said. “There is nothing in there that talks about Internet sales. That’s a huge thing right now that robs consumers of all their protections.”
A pet seller permit costs $200 for those selling 25 or more annually and $100 for less than 25. Humane societies and animal protective associations are excluded from the law. Only seller and breeders of cats and dogs are regulated, so other pets are excluded.
Any violation is a civil offense holding a fine ranging from $100 to $500 per offense. Pet sellers could also be banned from the county if they knowingly import, offer for sale, sell or barter any dog from a source breeder not complying with the county’s standards.
The law will be effective 180 days after it’s filed with the state.