Help end puppy mill cruelty
The Humane Pet Store Bill (S2511/A4051) will stop the cruel and well-documented puppy mill-to-pet store pipeline, support hundreds of responsible New Jersey otect New Jersey families from heartbreak and financial devastation.
Public records show that hundreds of weeks-old puppies are trucked to New Jersey pet stores from massive Midwest puppy mills each year. These puppy mills keep dogs in conditions that any New Jerseyan would be horrified by: some have been cited for emaciated dogs, dead puppies and dogs with open wounds, fleas and lice, injuries and signs of heat distress.
Stopping the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in pet shops will also shield consumers from misleading sales tactics, sick and genetically disordered puppy sales, disease outbreaks and predatory puppy loans.
Photo by Meredith Lee/The HSUS/
Urge your NJ legislators to end the sale of puppy mill puppies in pet stores
Selling commercially raised dogs in pet stores is inhumane and supports puppy mills. S.2511/A.4051 will prohibit the sale of puppy mill puppies in New Jersey pet stores and drive the pet market towards more humane sources like shelters, rescues and responsible breeders.
Scenes from the puppy mill pipeline
These are just some of the puppy mills New Jersey pet stores have bought puppies from. Which pet stores bought from these mills? Find out here.
Did you know?
New Jersey pet stores still buy puppies from cruel puppy mills, but there is growing support to stop this inhumane practice.
Sourced puppies from dealers that appeared in the 2024 Horrible Hundred Report of egregious puppy mills.
Already prohibit the sale of puppies in pet stores. 10 counties have passed resolutions supporting this policy statewide.
Prohibit the sale of dogs and cats in pet stores, including New York, which will impact 50+ stores when it goes into effect in December.
Support this legislation, while only 16 stores currently sell puppies.
New Jersey: It's time to stop the cruelty
New Jersey pet stores are still buying from puppy mills. Stop the cruelty. Protect consumers. Support responsible businesses.
Thank you to our humane pet store bill sponsors!
Senate bill (S2511) primary sponsors
Stack, Brian P. and Mukherji, Raj
Senate bill (S2511) co-sponsors
Holzapfel, James W., Diegnan, Patrick J., Jr., Gopal, Vin, Zwicker, Andrew, McKnight, Angela V., Burgess, Renee C., Johnson, Gordon M., Beach, James, Timberlake, Britnee N., Greenstein, Linda R., and Polistina, Vincent J.
Assembly bill (A4051) primary sponsors
Haider, Shama A., Peterpaul, Luanne M., Esq., Sampson, William B., IV
Assembly bill (A4051) co-sponsors
Clifton, Robert D., Dunn, Aura K, McGuckin, Gregory P., Kanitra, Paul, Lampitt, Pamela R., Park, Ellen J., Rodriguez, Gabriel, Matsikoudis, Michele, Katz, Andrea, Simmons, Heather, Donlon, Margie, M.D., Swain, Lisa, Kennedy, James J., Conaway, Herb, Jr., Murphy, Carol A., Hutchison, Dan, Miller, Cody D., DiMaio, John, Collazos-Gill, Alixon, Muñoz, Nancy F., Morales, Carmen Theresa, Atkins, Reginald W., Lopez, Yvonne, Hall, Garnet R., Bagolie,Rosaura, Ramirez, Jessica, Reynolds-Jackson, Verlina, Schaer, Gary S., Danielsen, Joe, Barlas, Al, McCann Stamato, Barbara, Calabrese, Clinton, Stanley, Sterley S., Schnall, Alexander, Tully, Chris, and Verrelli, Anthony S.
About us
We are a coalition backed by humane businesses, veterinarians and animal welfare organizations dedicated to stopping the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in New Jersey pet stores and ensuring the Garden State protects consumers and stops supporting cruel puppy mills.
Learn more
- The humane pet store bill fact sheets
- A list of endorsements for the New Jersey humane pet store bill
- A photo library of New Jersey pet stores’ puppy mill suppliers
- Bill introduction press release: As New Jersey legislators move to stop the puppy mill-to-pet store pipeline, new evidence links Garden State puppy stores to cruel mass breeding facilities
- Information on how to find responsible breeders near you
Stop puppy mills!
You can stop this cycle of cruelty by adopting your next pet. You can also donate to help shut down puppy mills and continue our lifesaving work for all animals.
Chuck Cook/For the HSUS