Norman's Law Targets Puppy Mills in Camden County

Camden County intends to ban pet stores in the county from selling animals from breeders operating puppy mills.

Norman’s Law, which was introduced on Thursday, would eliminate a feeder system for puppy and kitten mills in pet stores in Camden County.

The county worked with the Humane Society on the legislation.

“More than 80 localities nationwide, including seven in New Jersey, have restricted the sale of puppy mill dogs in pet stores,” Kathleen Schatzmann, New Jersey state director for The Humane Society of the United States, said. “This ordinance would not only crack down on cruelty in puppy mills, but would also give homeless cats and dogs in Camden County a greater chance of finding a home.”

Adoption of the resolution is scheduled for the next Camden County Freeholders’ meeting on Sept. 17 at the Voorhees Town Hall, 2400 Voorhees Town Center, 7 p.m.

If adopted, Camden County would become the fourth county nationwide to implement this legislation.

It is named after Camden County Freeholder Jeff Nash’s dog, Norman, who Nash rescued from a local shelter. Nash is the sponsor of the ordinance.

“Many families looking to provide a loving home for a dog have no idea where the pet they purchased came from,” Nash said. “Their good intentions keep this cruel industry in business, so we want to help pet owners make more informed decisions.”

Puppy mill dogs and cats spend much of their lives in small cages and female dogs are bred as frequently as possible. The county animal shelter network is filled to capacity with homeless animals, officials said.

“Camden County is a very animal-friendly place. According to the last census, as many as 75 percent of our households include either a dog or a cat,” Nash said. “The Freeholder Board believes that dogs and cats should be treated in a humane manner because it is the right and moral thing to do.”

“Our shelter and the county animal alliance members are constantly at capacity for housing cats and dogs and these pets need to be a resident’s first choice for a loving home,” Camden County Freeholder Michelle Gentek-Mayer said. “Otherwise, it is no secret that the pet owners who patronize a puppy mill or retail outlet selling them are giving up on the healthy animals that are languishing in our facilities and also costing the taxpayers money for us to house them.”

The Camden County Health Department’s Division of Environmental Health regularly inspects all pet stores within Camden County. Their review will also include determining the origin of the pets for sale.

“When our Camden County Health Inspectors perform their routine visits of pet stores, they will require the shop owners to provide information on the animals being sold to the public,” Camden County Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the Camden County Health Department, said. “When they find any violations, they will report their findings to local authorities for prosecution.”

The Camden County Animal Shelter is located at 125 County House Road in Blackwood. It is open Tuesday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The attached image is a Patch file photo