California is looking to make a difference in the lives of animals without homes. Passing a new law requiring stores to only sell pets from rescue groups or shelters.
Governor Jerry Brown signed the law requiring pet stores to work with shelters and rescues to sell dogs, cats, or rabbits starting at the beginning of 2019. Now shelters are already trying to prepare people for the new law.
Dogs, cats, and rabbits, these are animals that will soon have to be adopted through shelters and rescues. A law signed last week giving animals living in shelters a better chance at finding their forever home.
Julie Johnson is the executive director of the local chapter of the SPCA. "For far too long animals have unfortunately been getting bought through puppy mills or online sales and people don't really know what they are getting," said Johnson.
Johnson hopes this new law sends a message to people buying pets now, encouraging them to start early and adopt from shelters. "We are really hoping that people are encouraged to start looking now at shelters where they may not have thought about that before, so hopefully in the next year we can educate people more about the wonderfully quality of shelter pets," said Johnson.
Shelters and rescues around Kern County believe this law ensures better treatment of animals. "One you are saving a life and two you know staff generally tries to work with animals at the shelter to really figure out their personalities and their fit and help family members find that forever home for that animal and for that human being," said Johnson.
The law does have its opponents, many pet sores believing it will put them out of business. But supporters like Johnson think differently. "It's absolutely perfect this bill was really designed to break down those back yard breeders those cruel and inhumane breeders and puppy mill breeders that don't care about the animals," said Johnson.
California is the only state with a ban like this one, but over 200 other cities and counties across the country already have bans in place on mass breeding operations. It's important to note this law does no make it illegal to buy pets from private breeders. But Johnson adds there are a lot of purebreds and puppies available at the shelters despite stereotypes they may not be.
