Bill To Force New Pet Stores To Sell Only Rescue Animals Passes N.J. Senate

A bill that would require new pet stores in New Jersey to sell only cats and dogs obtained from shelters and other animal rescue organizations was approved by the New Jersey Senate on Thursday, according to reports.

The Record said the measure, S63 sponsored by Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union), passed by a 27-8 vote. It now heads to the Assembly.

The bill, introduced by Lesniak in the wake of the shutdown of the long-troubled Fancy Pups pet store in Avenel, as well as issues at the Just Pups stores in Paramus and East Brunswick, which were shut down earlier this year.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals filed 267 animal cruelty charges against LoSacco over the East Brunswick store, and township officials there revoked LoSacco's license to operate in March. Later that month, Paramus police found 67 puppies in a van outside that store on a frigid day.

Authorities said the owner of Fancy Pups, Rocco Garruto Jr. from Bridgewater, attempted to illegally sell dogs and investigations showed he knowingly sold sick puppies.

“These puppy mills have gained a notorious reputation for putting profits ahead of the humane treatment of dogs and cats,” Lesniak said in December. “Their mass breeding has created inbred health and behavioral problems and the inhumane conditions have left too many of these pets to suffer from neglect and mistreatment.”

Opponents of the bill say it undermines existing pet laws.

“It’s a bill that comes from a good place, but unfortunately does some very bad things,” Mike Bober, president and CEO of the Washington-based Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council, told The Record.

Bober said the bill will make it difficult for any new store to open and weakens a pet protection law that has been a model for the rest of the country.

"Responsible pet ownership begins with finding the ideal companion for your specific circumstances,"the council says on a page dedicated to the bill on its website. "While current pet stores would continue to operate under the most comprehensive set of sourcing, signage and warranty regulations in the country, new stores will be prohibited unless they are willing to provide warranties on dogs from unknown origins. This is not in the best interest of New Jersey consumers or their beloved companion animals as it limits pet choice and removes current protections."

The measure – a revision of the New Jersey Pet Protection Act — would apply to any pet store licensed after Jan. 12.

It would prohibit shelters, pounds and rescue organizations from purchasing dogs or cats from breeders or brokers. It also requires rescue organizations to be licensed in the town in which they are located.

These puppies were two of more than 60 found in a van outside Just Pups in Paramus in March. Patch file photo