The New Jersey Senate is seeking to amend bills banning retail pet stores, and recently added text that could impact home-based breeders.
Senate Bill 2511 and Assembly Bill 4051 are scheduled for a vote by the Senate on Monday, December 22. Club members, hobby breeders and anyone who seeks to obtain a pet from a home-based breeder in the future should contact their NJ Senator TODAY and ask them to vote “no” on these bills, which could have a significant negative impact on legitimate, humane dog sales and responsible home-based breeders in New Jersey. Visit the New Jersey Legislative website and type in your address to get the name and contact information for your State Senator.
Summary:
Senate Bill 2511 and Assembly Bill 4051 as introduced seek to ban pet stores from selling dogs or cats.
Amendments offered on the Senate floor make numerous changes to the language, including very unclear definitions and requirements for those meeting the definitions of “Kennel” and “Pet shop”. Among changes, language that exempts animals born on the premises from the definition of “pet shop” appears to be removed. This is in addition to a broad definition of kennel. Those meeting these definitions would be required to be licensed for each definition they meet.
The changes now make it unclear whether hobbyists and home-based breeders would be considered pet stores and required to be licensed as such by the state simply because they sell a puppy “for personal appreciation and companionship” (those selling for business or research are not considered a pet store).
Call Today:
The Senate is expected to consider both Senate Bill 2511 and Assembly Bill 4051 on Monday, December 22. It is imperative that you contact your State Senator TODAY and ask them to oppose both bills. Let them know you are a constituent, and tell them that these bills could negatively impact the ability of people in New Jersey to obtain a high-quality, purebred dog from a responsible breeder.
Visit the New Jersey Legislative website and type in your address to get the name and contact information for your State Senator.
AKC Government Relations will continue to provide updates on these bills and all bills impacting dogs in New Jersey. Contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org with questions.