The New Jersey Assembly Appropriations Committee has added amendments to a bill banning retail pet stores that could impact home-based breeders.
The amendments are now identical to those added to Senate Bill 2511 in late December (Read AKC’s previous alert for more information)
With the last voting day of the session scheduled for Monday, January 12, Assembly Bill 4051 is scheduled for a vote by the General Assembly. Senate Bill 2511 is not currently scheduled, but is pending on the Senate floor. Club members, hobby breeders and anyone who seeks to obtain a pet from a home-based breeder in the future should contact their NJ Assemblymember and Senator TODAY and ask them to vote “no” on Assembly Bill 4051, Senate Bill 2511, and any bill 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 Assemblymember and State Senator.
Summary:
Assembly Bill 4051 and its Senate companion, Senate Bill 2511, as originally introduced, seek to ban pet stores from selling dogs or cats.
Amendments added in the Assembly Appropriations Committee now mirror those made in the Senate. They 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).
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.