After New York state banned pet shops from selling dogs and other animals final winter, a few of that business is shifting to Connecticut in a pattern that considerations animal safety teams.
“We’ve had at least three shops open in Stamford this year, and we’ve organized some protests outside,” mentioned Pat Harmon, a longtime member of the Humane Society of the United States. “This Sunday we’ll be going out in front of one on Long Ridge Road, All American Breeders.”
The controversy has mainly been in Fairfield County thus far, however a brand new operation opening in Newington this fall sparked debate on Facebook between individuals who reward the business and others opposing it. Gary Newman’s CT Breeders retailer has operated in Norwalk for seven years and now could be launching a location on the Berlin Turnpike.
“We are moving one of our locations from Brooklyn after 39 years. Very sad. CT has been very kind to us and for me personally,” Newman mentioned in a Facebook put up final month. “We will create about 15 to 20 new jobs at a minimum.”
He is transforming the previous Utopia retailer at 2221 Berlin Turnpike into a store the place he’ll promote puppies in addition to pet food, different merchandise and associated providers. News of the transfer drew a blended response on Facebook final month, with some present CT Breeders clients eagerly welcoming the announcement whereas different commenters took a unique view.
“We don’t need puppy mills here,” one lady wrote.
Newman defended his business, saying it has a stable fame constructed over a long time of labor.
“We have matched tens of thousands of people and pets for almost 40 years. All of our puppies have vaccines and are dewormed. Training is free for the lifetime of the puppy. One free grooming and one free visit to the veterinarian is also included. All of our breeders info are on display as per CT state laws,” he wrote.
In response to a different Facebook put up, Newman maintained that the Berlin retailer isn’t a results of New York’s ban.
“NY is a mess. It is dangerous and so many people are moving out, our motivation had nothing to do with the insane laws but rather the condition of the city,” he wrote.
Animal safety organizations within the state mentioned that this yr they’ve seen a pointy rise within the variety of Connecticut shops promoting pets.
“I’ve heard about the new ones in Stamford. I saw the prices at one and they were jaw-dropping: up to $1,000 or $1,500,” mentioned Kerry Dobson, government director of PAWS, the Pet Animal Welfare Society of Norwalk.
Private nonprofit shelters sometimes cost far much less; PAWS adoptions cost $375 for a canine that’s been vaccinated and spayed or neutered. Adopting a canine from a municipal shelter may be as little as $50.
“We’re seeing an influx of stores because of the New York law, and these stores make a lot of money. I’ve seen prices of $2,500, and if it’s a French bulldog the price is $5,000,” Harmon mentioned Thursday. “And individuals assume they’re shopping for this wholesome puppy, however they are often getting fairly a sick animal. The situations within the puppy mills are hell on earth, the animals don’t get medical care.
“Good breeders don’t sell to pet stores because nobody tracks where the pets go after that. Good breeders make sure their puppies go to loving homes, and they’ll take them back if they need to,” Harmon mentioned.
CT Breeder’s web site payments the shop as providing “the finest designer puppies and purebreds available anywhere,” and guarantees that every one comes with all required paperwork and vaccination info. The firm supplies free lifetime canine coaching for every puppy, in addition to a session with a workers member “to ensure a successful transition home.”
James Bias, government director of the Connecticut Humane Society, mentioned his expertise with shops that promote puppies has been typically poor.
“The majority of those stores sell puppies to make a profit, and they’re getting them from high-volume breeding operations. The dogs are in kennels their entire lives, pumping out two or maybe three litters a year. Reputable breeders don’t need a retailer to sell their puppy,” Bias mentioned. “Even the big box pet stores, Pet Smart and Petco, invite nonprofit rescue groups in to create their supply. In 2023 the idea of having a retail operation for the sale of puppies doesn’t make sense.”
Illinois, California and Maryland all prohibit shops from promoting pets, and Oregon joined them this summer time. But the pet retailer business contends that’s counterproductive. Bans don’t have an effect on unscrupulous breeders, and make it more durable for consumers looking for a particular breed of canine — in the end resulting in extra fraud on the black market, in line with the Pet Advocacy Network, previously often called the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council.
“In the two and a half years after California enacted a similar pet sale ban, reported puppy scams surged by 350%, and veterinarians saw an increase in sick puppies acquired from unregulated sources,” the council claims.
