S 8252 New York Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Relates to pet breeders; repealer

This bill clarifies definitions in pet business regulations to better distinguish between commercial breeders and animal adoption organizations. It redefines "pet dealer" to exclude municipal shelters, registered humane societies, public animal authorities, and retail pet shops that primarily facilitate adoptions. Key provisions prohibit retail pet shops and brokers from selling dogs, cats, or rabbits directly but allow them to host adoption events with approved rescue groups meeting specific tax and operational criteria. The changes directly affect animal shelters, rescue organizations, and retail pet stores by clarifying their regulatory status under existing law.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
May 2025
Committee Review
Jun 2026
Senate Passage
Jun 2026
Assembly Passage
Governor
Introduced May 27, 2025 Last action Jun 3, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

S8252B S8252C · 3 edits
MINOR
This bill updates the definition of a 'pet breeder' by raising the annual sales threshold from nine to twenty-five animals and adds a specific prohibition against selling dogs, cats, or rabbits that were not born and raised on the breeder's premises. It also expands the list of entities exempt from general pet shop transfer restrictions to include animal shelters, alongside existing exemptions for pet breeders.
Scope change
The bill broadens the scope of who qualifies as a regulated pet breeder by increasing the volume threshold, while simultaneously tightening the rules for what specific animals they can sell.
DEFINITION

Increased the annual sales threshold for a 'pet breeder' from nine animals to twenty-five animals.

REQUIREMENT

Added a specific requirement that pet breeders cannot sell or offer to sell any dog, cat, or rabbit that was not born and raised on their own premises.

EXEMPTIONS

Added 'animal shelters' to the list of entities exempt from the prohibition on transferring dogs, cats, and rabbits for profit.

Floor votes · Senate Jun 3, 2026

How they voted

610
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 63
Jun 3, 2026
D Democratic41
39 Yea 2
95% Yea
R Republican22
22 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
14
Key actions
7
Committee
5
Amendments
6
Jun 3, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO CODES
lower
Jun 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
PASSED SENATE
upper
May 28, 2026
Committee
COMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES
upper
Apr 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 8252C
upper
Apr 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO AGRICULTURE
upper
Mar 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 8252B
upper
Mar 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
AMEND (T) AND RECOMMIT TO AGRICULTURE
upper
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE
upper
Jun 11, 2025
Committee
COMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES
upper
Jun 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 8252A
upper
Jun 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO AGRICULTURE
upper
May 27, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Mike Gianaris
Mike Gianaris
DDemocratic/Working Families
NY
12