UTICA — The New York State Legislature has passed several pieces of animal awareness legislation that now heads to the desk of New York State Governor Kathy Hochul.

Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, D-119, Marcy, held a shelter animal awareness event on Tuesday at the front outdoor plaza at the Utica State Office Building to speak on behalf of the Puppy Mill Pipeline Bill she is co-sponsoring, as well as the other animal awareness legislation she is supporting. Buttenschon was joined by local officials, members of the community and representatives from Anita’s Stevens Swan Humane Society, the The Humane Society of the United States, the New York Farm Bureau and the Utica Zoo.

New York State Assembly Bill A4283, also known as the Puppy Mill Pipeline Bill, aims to end the sale of animals that are mass produced by puppy mills, due to the nature of the conditions and neglect animals endure from being commercially produced.

“Many of our pets are our family members,” said Buttenschon. “We want to ensure that they have had the appropriate care at their time of birth. What we see is this legislation looked at the importance of those breeders providing that care. Clearly, in many senses, we see how important it is when we talk to our humane societies, as they are the ones that have to come forward and assist us and be a part of this process.”

The following New York State Assembly Bills have been passed by both the New York State Assembly and Senate:

• Bill A4283, which prohibits the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in retail pet shops and authorizes spaces for adoption.
• Bill A5653B, which prohibits both the manufacture and sale of cosmetic products tested on animals.
• Bill A6246C, which establishes animal care standards in shelters.
• Bill A9284A, which prohibits insurers from excluding, limiting, restricting, or reducing coverage on a homeowners’ insurance policy based on the breed of dog.
• Bill A9296, which allows for the return of a nonviolent dog to their registered owner.

The following New York State Assembly Bill has been passed by the New York State Assembly and will be voted on in the Senate:

• Bill A715, which authorizes emergency medical care personnel to provide basic first aid to cats and dogs.

Buttenschon hopes that by bringing awareness of the bipartisan support and passage of the animal awareness bills, Governor Hochul will take swift action to sign them into law.

“There is no reason why New York consumers should have to be in a situation where they want to have a family pet and go to a pet store, which is the furthest thing from a responsible breeder,” said Brian Shapiro, New York State director of The Humane Society of the United States. “These are animals that are brought in to the state that are cranked out as if they are widgets in some type of factory and New York should not be complicit in promoting this type of, speaking plainly, animal abuse.”

According to Office of the New York State Governor, Governor Hochul is currently reviewing the legislation.