Michelle Riley/The HSUS

New Jersey: Urge your state legislators to prohibit the sale of puppies in pet stores

BREAKING: New undercover investigation links New Jersey pet stores to more awful puppy mills. Our most recent undercover investigation at Midwestern puppy mills that supply dogs for New Jersey puppy stores uncovered animals suffering in heartbreaking conditions. Our hidden camera captured dogs attempting to climb out of unsafe cages; dogs exhibiting frantic behavior; enclosures filled with feces; small, raised, wire-floored cages; and dogs with little or no comfort or enrichment objects. No New Jerseyan would knowingly support this cruelty.

Families who purchase puppies from pet shops are often the victims of deceptive sales tactics, including false promises of “humane breeders” and predatory puppy lending schemes used to convince people to spend thousands of dollars on a puppy they otherwise couldn’t afford. Many end up with a puppy with health problems that can cost thousands of dollars in veterinary visits or lead to a lifetime of medical complications.

Tell your state legislators to stand up for pets and families and support The Humane Pet Store Bill (S2511/A4051). This will help stop cruel puppy mills, drive the pet market towards more humane sources like shelters, rescues and responsible breeders and support humane businesses.

TAKE ACTION

Please make a brief, polite call to your state senator and assemblymember today and ask them to support The Humane Pet Store Bill. Look up their phone numbers here. You can say: "As a constituent, I am asking you to support The Humane Pet Store Bill to end the sale of puppy mill puppies in New Jersey pet stores."

After making your calls (please do not skip that crucial step!), fill in and submit the form below to send a follow-up message.

This action alert is for U.S. residents. International advocates, please visit Humane Society International.

Your Message

Subject*

Dear Legislator,  
As your constituent, I urge you to support The Humane Pet Store Bill, S2511/A4051, to stop pet shops from selling puppy mill puppies to unsuspecting consumers in our state and stop New York’s bad actors from moving into New Jersey when their humane pet store law takes effect this month.  This is commonsense legislation because no pet store needs to sell puppies to be profitable and no consumer needs a pet shop to find the pet of their choice.  

A new undercovering investigation by the Humane Society of the United States uncovered immense suffering at puppy mills supplying New Jersey pet shops. For years, public records have shown that New Jersey pet shops buy puppies from massive, cruel puppy mills with terrible animal welfare records and resell them to unsuspecting consumers. Far too many New Jersey families have fallen victim to misleading sales tactics, including false promises of “humane breeders,” and predatory puppy financing that is pushed on customers who can’t afford a puppy for thousands of dollars outright. Many have ended up with sick or genetically disordered puppies requiring expensive veterinary care or puppies who die shortly after purchase. This needs to stop. 

Those looking to add a new pet to their family will still be able to obtain the dog of their choice from shelters, rescues or responsible breeders. The few pet shops that sell commercially raised puppies will have ample time to transition to a more humane business model focused on pet products and services rather than puppy mill puppies. This is the model that most pet stores in the country already adhere to, and according to the industry it is the most profitable model.

Please personalize your message*

{user_data~First name} {user_data~Last name}
{user_data~Street address}
{user_data~City}, {user_data~State} {user_data~Zip code}

Signed,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]

Your Information

First name

Last name

Email address

Street address

Apartment, suite or other

City

State

Zip code

Phone number

(Optional) By checking this box, you agree to receive autodialed, recurring text messages from the HSUS with updates and ways you can help animals. Msg & data rates may apply. Text STOP to 77879 to opt out, HELP for info. Privacy Policy. Terms & Conditions.

Send me email updates and quick actions I can take to help protect all animals.

Choose your state to receive email updates and quick actions you can take to help animals locally and nationally.

State

By submitting this form, I confirm that I would like to receive occasional email updates and action alerts for animals.