Update — January 15, 2026: While this bill was essential to reducing the suffering that countless dogs endure in puppy mills, neither chamber was ultimately willing to let this bill move forward to a floor vote. Thank you for each action you took to advocate for this bill. With your partnership, we'll continue the fight to shut down New Jersey's puppy mill pipeline during future legislative sessions.
It's time to end the Garden State’s participation in the horrific puppy mill pipeline. New Jersey lawmakers considered a bill that would stop the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in the state’s pet stores, which continue to profit from cruelty.
New Jersey pet stores advertise that their puppies are “top quality” and come from “responsible breeders,” exploiting animals and deceiving consumers. The sad reality is that puppies are trucked in from cruel out-of-state commercial breeding facilities, also known as puppy mills, where animals are confined to filthy, crowded cages. Commercial breeders treat dogs like products; their only goal is to produce the highest number of puppies at the lowest possible cost. As a result, animals are often sick, injured or malnourished and can suffer from genetic issues because of poor breeding practices.
While communities and states around the country have enacted laws and ordinances to prevent pet stores from selling inhumanely bred animals, New Jersey still allows pet stores to profit from this inherently cruel system.
Please continue to help us fight puppy mill cruelty in New Jersey and beyond. Join our Puppy Mill Action Team for breaking news and urgent actions you can take to advocate for dogs and other animals.
