ALBANY, N.Y. (WKBW) — New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation increasing safety and health measures for pet dealers.
The new legislation requires pet dealers to clean primary enclosures daily and have it sanitized every two weeks.
"If pet dealers are going to profit from the sale of living animals, they should at the very least adhere to basic standards of decency and care," Governor Cuomo said. "These new rules will create safer, more sanitary and more humane conditions for animals while they wait for a new permanent home."
"Starting today, New York State will ensure that pet dealers will be held to standards that will promote the safety, good health, and overall well-being of the animals in their care," said Assembly Member Amy Paulin. "There have been too many instances when pet dealers have neglected to properly groom animals in their charge, and those animals have been found with overgrown nails, excessive matting of fur, and infestations of fleas and ticks. With this law, we will prevent this kind of negligent treatment."
The law also sets guidelines for annual veterinary examinations, regular grooming, diurnal light cycles, and separate spaces for pregnant dogs that provides sufficient room to nurse and care for a litter.
