Assembly Resolution No. 930 BY: M. of A. Malliotakis MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim Saturday, September 19, 2020, 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 19, 2020, as Puppy Mill Awareness Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Puppy Mill Mill Awareness Day; 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, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim Saturday, September 19, 2020, 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 transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York.