Pet Store Rules: Los Angeles vs New York
How do pet store rules rules compare between Los Angeles, CA and New York, NY?
Los Angeles and New York have similar restriction levels.
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles County
LAMC §53.73 bans retail sale of commercially bred dogs, cats, and rabbits in Los Angeles. Pet stores may offer these animals only if sourced from public shelters or registered nonprofit rescues. The 2012 LA rule preceded California's statewide AB-485 mirroring it.
View full Los Angeles rules →New York, NY
New York County
NYC Local Law 53 of 2015 and follow-on rules require any pet shop selling dogs, cats, or rabbits to obtain them from a public shelter or registered nonprofit rescue. New York State A-4283 (2022) extended a similar rule statewide, and DOHMH enforces both at the city level.
View full New York rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Los Angeles | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Code section | LAMC §53.73 | - |
| Allowed sources | Shelters and registered rescues | Shelters and registered rescues |
| Species covered | Dogs, cats, rabbits | Dogs, cats, rabbits |
| State analog | California AB-485 (2019) | NY Chapter 470 (2022) |
| Enforcement | LA Animal Services | DOHMH plus DCWP |
| City rule | - | NYC Local Law 53 (2015) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Los Angeles FAQ
Can a pet store in LA sell purebred puppies from breeders?
No. LAMC §53.73 limits store sales of dogs, cats, and rabbits to animals supplied by public shelters or registered nonprofit rescues. Buyers seeking a specific breed must go directly to a hobby breeder.
Does this affect online sales or breeders?
The ordinance targets brick-and-mortar pet stores and retail vendors operating in Los Angeles. Direct sales by individual breeders to a final buyer are not banned, though state and federal breeding rules still apply.
New York FAQ
Can a NYC pet store sell purebred puppies from breeders?
No. Local Law 53 and the 2024 statewide ban limit retail dog, cat, and rabbit sales to animals supplied by shelters or registered nonprofit rescues. Buyers seeking a specific breed must contact a hobby breeder directly.
Does this rule apply to fish, birds, or reptiles?
No. The retail-sale ban covers only dogs, cats, and rabbits. Other species remain regulated under NYC Health Code Article 161 and federal Animal Welfare Act standards for licensed dealers.
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