Section 400 - [Effective 12/15/2025] DefinitionsAs used in this article:
1. "Animal" means a dog or a cat.2. "Consumer" means any individual purchasing an animal from a pet dealer. A pet dealer shall not be considered a consumer.3. "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, association, municipality, or other legal entity.4. "Pet Dealer" means any person who engages in the sale or offering for sale of more than nine animals per year for profit to the public. Such definition shall include breeders who sell or offer to sell animals; provided that it shall not include the following: (a) Any breeder who sells or offers to sell directly to the consumer fewer than twenty-five animals per year that are born and raised on the breeder's residential premises;(b) Any municipal pound or shelter dedicated to the care of unwanted animals which makes such animals available for adoption whether or not a fee for such adoption is charged, established and maintained pursuant to subdivision one of section one hundred fourteen of this chapter, and that is duly licensed as an animal shelter pursuant to article twenty-six-C of this chapter;(c) Any duly incorporated society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, duly incorporated humane society, duly incorporated animal protective association or other duly incorporated animal adoption or animal rescue organization dedicated to the care of unwanted animals which makes such animals available for adoption whether or not a fee for such adoption is charged that is exempt from taxes pursuant to paragraph (3) of subsection (c) of section 501 of the federal Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. 501, or any subsequent corresponding sections of the federal Internal Revenue Code, as from time to time amended, that is duly licensed as an animal shelter pursuant to article twenty-six-C of this chapter; and(d)[Multiple versions; As added by New York Laws 2022, ch. 553,Sec. 6] Any public authority providing shelter services for the care of unwanted animals or its subsidiary that is wholly created for the sole purpose of providing such services.(d)[Multiple versions; As added by New York Laws 2022, ch. 681,Sec. 2] Any retail pet shop as defined in subdivision eight of section seven hundred fifty-two of the general business law.N.Y. Agric. and Mkts. Law § 400
Amended by New York Laws 2023, ch. 35, Sec. 2, eff. 3/3/2023.Amended by New York Laws 2022, ch. 683, Sec. 4, eff. 12/15/2025.Amended by New York Laws 2022, ch. 681, Sec. 2, eff. 12/15/2024.Amended by New York Laws 2022, ch. 553, Sec. 6, eff. 8/17/2022.Amended by New York Laws 2017, ch. 168, Sec. 1, eff. 11/12/2017.This section is set out more than once due to postponed, multiple, or conflicting amendments.