LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim Saturday, September 17, 2016, as Puppy Mill Awareness Day in
the State of New York

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in recognizing official
days established to increase awareness of serious issues; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim Saturday, September 17, 2016, as
Puppy Mill Awareness Day in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Puppy mills are large-scale commercial breeding operations
that focus on the business aspect of breeding rather than the quality of
the dogs' lives, forcing the animals to withstand inhumane conditions;
and
WHEREAS, Most of these dogs are kept in rusty or broken wire cages
similar to chicken coops, some not even big enough for the dog to move
freely; the animals are often left filthy and stacked upon each other,
unprotected from the heat or frigid temperatures; and
WHEREAS, Love and affection are unknown to puppy mill dogs, who only
receive substandard food and water at best; and
WHEREAS, Dogs kept in puppy mills are forced to mass-produce puppies
and shockingly after their fertility wanes, and they are no longer
useful to the puppy mill operators, these dogs are often killed; and
WHEREAS, New York State law defines a "Pet dealer" as any person,
firm, partnership, association, municipality, or other legal entity
which engages in the sale of more than nine animals per year for profit
to the public; and
WHEREAS, Each pet dealer may have their facilities inspected annually
by the Department of Agriculture and Markets; regulations on housing,
sanitation, feeding and watering, handling, lighting, veterinary care
and humane euthanasia by pet dealers are in effect in New York; and
WHEREAS, It is important that New Yorkers are aware that sometimes
buying a pet from a website or a pet store fuels the fire and enhances
the ability of puppy mills to stay in business; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body, representing the people of the State
of New York, recognizes and condemns the inhumane and cruel treatment
and conditions which exist in the operation of puppy mills; now, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim Saturday, September 17,
2016, as Puppy Mill Awareness Day in the State of New York; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.