Town Of Hempstead May Require Pet Shops To Have More Space, Security
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Hempstead is ready to crack down on local pet shops -- in hopes of protecting animals and potential owners.
As CBS2's Emily Smith reported Monday, window displays in pet stores featuring numerous animals up for sale will have to change drastically under new regulations being proposed by the Town of Hempstead.
Pet stores would be required to have at least 25 square feet for each animal on display, and at least 100-square feet of space for every animal on premises and proof that the animals were not bred in puppy or kitten mills, TV 10/55 Long Island Bureau Chief Richard Rose reported.
Each pet would also have to be spayed or neutered before sale, and pet shops would be required to have both sprinklers and fire alarms.
"We are going to require fire and alarm systems in those retail shops so as to protect our dogs and cats," said Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray. "God forbid there is a fire."
Murray acknowledges the tougher rules go beyond what Nassau County requires, but says they are aimed at preventing animal abuse.
"We want to make sure there is never a puppy mill in the Town of Hempstead," Murray said.
Animal advocates and rescue groups are applauding the new rules. They think it will lead to more adoptions of animals in shelters.
"We always have these dogs who need to be adopted but people want their purebred dogs," Last Hope Animal Rescue Kim Marinace said. "But you know what, a mutt or mixed breed is just as good as a purebred."
CBS2 reached out to the owners of half-dozen pet stores -- none would speak on camera -- but said the tougher rules would drive them out of business.
One owner claims that spaying and neutering could cause animals to gain excessive weight.
Cat owner Barbara Kreiss is certain the animals need more space.
"I think it's about time," Kreiss said. "I think the animals will have a better place to live, to breed and to be adopted from."
The new rules will be considered by the Hempstead Town Board on Tuesday night.
Pet store owners say they will ask the town board to postpone action on the measure to give them more time to make their case against the proposal.
