The Humane Pet Store Bill (S2511/A4051) will stop the cruel and well-documented puppy mill-to-pet store pipeline, support hundreds of responsible New Jersey pet stores and protect New Jersey families from heartbreak and financial devastation.
Selling commercially raised dogs in pet stores is inhumane and supports puppy mills. S.2511/A.4051 will prohibit the sale of puppy mill puppies in New Jersey pet stores and drive the pet market towards more humane sources like shelters, rescues and responsible breeders.
Public records show that hundreds of weeks-old puppies are trucked to New Jersey pet stores from massive Midwest puppy mills each year. These puppy mills keep dogs in conditions that any New Jerseyan would be horrified by: some have been cited for emaciated dogs, dead puppies and dogs with open wounds, fleas and lice, injuries and signs of heat distress.
Stopping the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in pet shops will also shield consumers from misleading sales tactics, sick and genetically disordered puppy sales, disease outbreaks and predatory puppy loans.
Sourced puppies from dealers that appeared in the 2024 Horrible Hundred Report of egregious puppy mills.
Already prohibit the sale of puppies in pet stores. 10 counties have passed resolutions supporting this policy statewide.
Prohibit the sale of dogs and cats in pet stores, including New York, which will impact 50+ stores when it goes into effect in December.
Support this legislation, while only 16 stores currently sell puppies.
Senate bill (S2511) primary sponsors
Stack, Brian P. and Mukherji, Raj
Senate bill (S2511) co-sponsors
Holzapfel, James W., Diegnan, Patrick J., Jr., Gopal, Vin, Zwicker, Andrew, McKnight, Angela V., Burgess, Renee C., Johnson, Gordon M., Beach, James, Timberlake, Britnee N., Greenstein, Linda R., and Polistina, Vincent J.
Assembly bill (A4051) primary sponsors
Haider, Shama A., Peterpaul, Luanne M., Esq., Sampson, William B., IV
Assembly bill (A4051) co-sponsors
Clifton, Robert D., Dunn, Aura K, McGuckin, Gregory P., Kanitra, Paul, Lampitt, Pamela R., Park, Ellen J., Rodriguez, Gabriel, Matsikoudis, Michele, Katz, Andrea, Simmons, Heather, Donlon, Margie, M.D., Swain, Lisa, Kennedy, James J., Conaway, Herb, Jr., Murphy, Carol A., Hutchison, Dan, Miller, Cody D., DiMaio, John, Collazos-Gill, Alixon, Muñoz, Nancy F., Morales, Carmen Theresa, Atkins, Reginald W., Lopez, Yvonne, Hall, Garnet R., Bagolie,Rosaura, Ramirez, Jessica, Reynolds-Jackson, Verlina, Schaer, Gary S., Danielsen, Joe, Barlas, Al, McCann Stamato, Barbara, Calabrese, Clinton, Stanley, Sterley S., Schnall, Alexander, Tully, Chris, and Verrelli, Anthony S.
We are a coalition backed by humane businesses, veterinarians and animal welfare organizations dedicated to stopping the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in New Jersey pet stores and ensuring the Garden State protects consumers and stops supporting cruel puppy mills.
Learn more about the humane pet store bill by downloading the following resources:
- The humane pet store bill fact sheets.
- A list of endorsements for the New Jersey humane pet store bill.
- A photo library of New Jersey pet stores’ puppy mill suppliers.
- Bill introduction press release: As New Jersey legislators move to stop the puppy mill-to-pet store pipeline, new evidence links Garden State puppy stores to cruel mass breeding facilities.
- Information on how to find responsible breeders near you.
