Puppy Mills Legislation

Okay friends, this is going to be a long one, so please bear with me. We all want to do away with puppy mills, right? Well, how about we all get together and dry up the demand so that there is no need for a supply? There is a growing movement here in NJ to ban puppy/kitten stores. So far four towns in NJ have adopted this legislation. The North Brunswick Humane Association recently introduced a proposal for just such an ordinance to our mayor and town council and it was very well received. Even if there are none it still matters. Probably even moreso. The best time to address the problem is before it even gets a chance to be an issue. And it really is easy to accomplish. We are posting here a copy of the cover letter that was read into the record at the council meeting.

Please let us know that you support this very important issue.

Dear Committee Members:I am writing to you to request your consideration of an ordinance that would ban the retail sale of puppies and kittens in pet stores. Such an ordinance would serve to show that this community is animal-friendly and that it cares about its consumers. The retail sale of puppies and kittens in local pet stores is deceptive to the consumer and perpetuates the inhumane treatment of dogs and cats.

This ordinance would not affect any local, reputable breeders or the adoption of any dog or cat in a retail establishment. Four local towns in the state of New Jersey (Point Pleasant Borough, Point Pleasant Beach, Brick Township and Manasquan Borough) have recently passed such an ordinance. While I am aware that there are no pet stores selling puppies and kittens in North Brunswick, I am certain that now is the time to adopt a ban while there would be no impact on any existing business. N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.8 (d) specifically provides that:

“The municipality may issue a license for a pet shop that
permits the pet shop to sell pet supplies for all types of animals,
including cats and dogs, and sell animals other than cats and
dogs but restricts the pet shop from selling cats or dogs, or both.”

Puppies Galore, doing business in Brick Township, NJ was recently shut down by the local board of health for numerous health code violations. The SPCA also charged the owner and manager with animal cruelty as 26 of the 39 puppies present during a raid were ill, some needing hospitalization. Brick Township gave much consideration to this incident when adopting a ban. There was much public outrage.

I am including information further explaining why it is a good idea to join other progressive towns across the United States in adopting an ordinance. There is much more documentation that I can supply upon request.

As a resident of North Brunswick, I would be proud to add our name to the list of progressive towns across the United States that have adopted similar ordinances. Such an ordinance would protect the consumer, spare the town of an embarrassment such as Puppies Galore and help to promote the welfare of animals. The North Brunswick Humane Association is obviously in favor of this measure and I am certain that our residents would be in support of this issue.

Respectfully submitted,
Jay Soloway (President, NBHA)