A new law, which only allows pet stores to sell animals from animal shelters or rescue organizations, makes California the first state to mandate rescue animals to sold in retail pet stores.
AB 45 was introduced by Patrick O’Donnell, California Assembly member, and will go into effect Jan. 1. The aim is to save the state’s taxpayers from the millions of dollars spent on sheltering animals and protect animals from inhumane treatment from “kitten factories” and puppy mills” that could cause long-term emotional and physical health problems.
Under the new law, retail pet stores are only permitted to sell dogs, cats, and rabbits that come from “public animal control agency or shelter, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals shelter, humane society shelter,” or “in a cooperative agreement with at least one private or public shelter.” If a store is in violation of the law, the fine is $500.
Therefore, retail pet stores can no longer source their animals from breeders. But the law doesn’t “affect sales from private breeders or owner-to-owner sales,” the BBC reported.
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