A new law, known as the Puppy Mill Pipeline Act, originally signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul in 2022, targets large-scale breeding facilities that proponents say lead to sick animals being sold to unsuspecting pet owners. According to the Executive Director of the New York State Animal Protective Federation, Libby Post, “This bill stops New York’s complicity in animal abuse because we are no longer letting New Yorkers be hoodwinked by pet stores into purchasing these puppies or kittens or rabbits, many of whom go home and are sick”. The new law is designed to end the sale of animals from what has been termed as “puppy mills” and will take effect Dec. 15, banning retail pet stores from selling dogs, cats, or rabbits from large-scale commercial breeding facilities, hoping to end cruel practices from these operations. Under the new law, breeders must now obtain licenses and meet stringent welfare standards. Violators of the new law can face fines of $1,000 per offense. Officials encourage anyone who suspects illegal sales to report them to the state attorney general’s office.