In a new California state measure, Assembly Bill 485, all puppy mills will be banned from selling animals in pet stores. Governor Jerry Brown signed this law which requires pet stores throughout California to partner with shelters and rescue organizations to encourage pet adoption instead of animal abuse, as the Las Vegas Review Journal reports.
This isn’t a new idea for California, as 36 other California jurisdictions had already moved forward with similar bans. The bill, also called “The Pet Rescue and Adoption Act,” was produced by assembly member Patrick O’Donnell who, in a statement, called the bill “a big win for our four-legged friends.”
O’Donnell also added that it was also a win “for California taxpayers who spend more than $250 million annually to house and euthanize animals in our shelters. I am very grateful for the strong support we received from animal-lovers across the state and from Social Compassion in Legislation, the bill’s sponsor.”
Gary Weitzman, president and CEO of The San Diego Humane Society is in major agreement with this bill as well.
“This is a significant milestone in easing the overcrowding of homeless animals in California shelters, relieving county budgets and stopping the abusive puppy mill industry,” Weitzman said. “We commend Governor Brown for signing AB 485 so California can continue to lead the country in the protection of animals and helping end the cruelty of commercial puppy mills once and for all.”
This law will go into effect starting in January 2019.