MAJOR PUPDATE!

Thurs, July 21, 2020

Today was a big day for dogs, cats and rabbits in the state of New York. Senate Bill S4234A, which prohibits the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits by retail pet shops and authorizes space for adoption PASSED the NY State Senate 48-12!! This is a huge victory for us!!

Our next step is to pass the Assembly, and we need Assemblyperson Donna Lupardo to bring this to the floor within the next 3 days.

NEXT STEPS/ ACTION ITEMS:

Do you or anyone you know have any connection to Assemblyperson Lupardo? Please email ellabeanthedog@gmail.com or slide into my DM’s!
- Lupardo is the Agriculture Committee Chair - this bill needs her blessing to go to the floor.
NY residents: Please contact your local Assemblymember and use this their email address to send a note NOW saying you want this bill to come to a vote and want your assemblyperson to vote YES! (sample language below).
Everyone (including non-NY-ers): Please leave a comment on the bottom of the page HERE stating your support for this bill to pass. You can leverage some text from the sample email below - and feel free to personalize why this matters to YOU as an individual. Those personalizations do matter!
Forward these instructions to anyone and everyone you know who might be willing to leave comments or write their Assemblyperson.

We want to act now - there is a slim chance this goes to the floor before session ends, but if we can get this squeezed in, we can beat the pet store lobbying groups who will use the time before the next session to lobby hard.

LET'S DO THIS!!!

Thank you all in advance for taking action and please let me know if there are any questions.

Thanks,

Hilary & The Beans

Sample Language

[Constituents Name]
[Constituents Addres]
[City, N.Y. Zip Code]

[DATE]

Dear [Assemblymember LAST NAME],

My name is [Constituents Name] and I am a constituent of yours residing at [Constituents Address] in [City], New York.

I am writing as an avid animal lover to ask that you support A.6298, the Humane Pet Store Bill, to reduce the demand for dogs, cat and rabbits bred in cruel conditions. This bill will greatly reduce the demand for animals that come from facilities where the breeding stock are kept in tiny wire cages, often stacked on top of one another, for their entire life. In these facilities animals are repeatedly bred with little regard for their health or welfare so their offspring can be shipped to pet stores, many of which are in New York, and sold for profit. You can help end this cruel supply chain by supporting the Humane Pet Store Bill.

This bill also addresses consumer protection issues regularly occurring at pet stores. Most pet stores sell puppies at premium prices while issuing baseless guarantees that the animal is healthy, socialized and from a humane breeder. In reality, most breeding mills where pet store animals are born and raised are unsanitary and in no way socialize an animal for life in a home. This often results in consumers spending thousands of dollars caring for a sick animal shortly after bringing it home. In worst case scenarios, the animal dies shortly after purchase.

Most New York pet stores are already in compliance with this bill because they refuse to sell puppies, kittens and bunnies. Instead, many opt to work with the rescue community by hosting adoption events at their stores. There is no reason not to get the rest of the pet stores onboard with a humane business model that will help countless animals and protect consumers from financial stresses and possible heartbreak.

Please support A.6298, it is what is best for all New Yorkers and their furry family members.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

[Constituents Name]

———————————

S.4234/A.6298, the Humane Pet Store Bill will be going to a vote on the New York State Senate floor NEXT WEEK. This bill will ban the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in pet stores in New York.

Passing this bill will allow New York to follow in the footsteps of over 300 localities and two states, California and Maryland, who have passed similar laws. New York has about 80 pet stores selling live animals, with about 50,000 animals sold annually. The number is staggering when you think about the number of puppy/kitten/bunny parents left behind to suffer in commercial pet breeding facilities.

HOW CAN YOU HELP:

1. MOST IMPORTANT: SHOW UP at your local senator's office on Monday and Tuesday! I am represented by Senator Kavanaugh and am planning to stop by on Monday morning. If you are also represented by Kavanaugh and wish to join, LMK!

2. Email/ Fax/ mail your legislator and tell them to VOTE YES on S.4234/A.6298. We have some sample language here!

3. Fill out THIS FORM and leave a comment encouraging your senator to vote YES!

You can identify your state senate representative here to find their contact information - some include email addresses.

Our most AT RISK votes are senators from Long Island. If you or someone you know is willing to do outreach, we really could use the help!

Long Islanders: are the below your senators? We need you!

-- John Brooks (8th)

-- Todd Kamisky (9th)

-- James Gaughran (5th)

-- Anna Kaplan (7th)

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