Pet stores

A ban on the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits by retail pet stores will take effect in 2024 in New York State under a bill signed into law today by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

The owner of Puppy Experience in Aquebogue and the pet dealers advocacy group People United to Protect Pet Integrity have jointly filed a lawsuit seeking to invalidate Riverhead Town's local law banning the sale by pet stores of commercially bred dogs, cats and rabbits.

Sportsman’s Kennels in Manorville has sued the Town of Riverhead, challenging the validity of the town’s new pet dealer law. A second lawsuit is coming: An attorney for a pet dealers advocacy group said the group would be filing its own lawsuit in the next few days.

A ban on the sale of commercially bred dogs, cats and rabbits in Riverhead Town was unanimously adopted by the town board on Tuesday, to the celebration of animal rights advocates and to the ire of one pet store owner in attendance.

The town board heard comments Wednesday on a proposal to ban pet stores from selling commercially bred dogs, cats and rabbits.

The Riverhead Town Board yesterday voted unanimously to set a public hearing on town code changes to ban the sale of commercially bred dogs and cats — and now, rabbits.

Stores offering dogs and cats for sale will be required to prove the animals came from animal shelters, animal control agencies, humane societies or nonprofit rescue groups registered with the state.