Albany, NY – A new measure before the New York State Assembly seeks to close a loophole that allows online pet sellers to reclaim animals from owners who fall behind on payments.
Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal introduced the bill, Assembly A1672A, to prohibit any purchase or financing contract for a dog or cat from including repossession clauses, expanding protections that already apply to animals sold in brick-and-mortar pet stores.
The legislation builds on a 2018 state law that outlawed the leasing of pets in physical retail settings but did not extend those rules to online sales.
Protecting consumers from pet “lease” schemes
Under the proposed law, online retailers and financing companies would be barred from using lease or installment contracts that treat pets as collateral. The bill adds a new section to the state’s General Business Law to make such provisions illegal and unenforceable.
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Lawmakers say the legislation targets predatory payment plans that mislead consumers into believing they are purchasing a pet outright, only to learn later that they are leasing the animal and risk losing it if payments lapse.
Online pet sales now in legislative spotlight
With the rise of internet-based animal sales, more consumers have turned to websites to find dogs and cats, often completing purchases through third-party financing companies. Rosenthal’s bill would ensure these online transactions carry the same consumer protections as in-person purchases.
Advocates for animal welfare argue that pets should never be treated as repossessable property, emphasizing that financial contracts should not override the human-animal bond formed once a pet is adopted or purchased.
No fiscal impact on the state
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The bill carries no financial cost to New York and would take effect immediately upon becoming law. A similar measure advanced to third reading in the Assembly and passed the Senate last session, suggesting strong bipartisan support for final passage.
If enacted, the law would mark another step in New York’s broader effort to end exploitative pet sale practices and promote humane treatment in both physical and online marketplaces.
Key Points
- The bill bans online pet purchase or financing contracts that allow repossession of dogs or cats.
- It extends the 2018 ban on pet leasing to internet-based sellers.
- The measure carries no state fiscal impact and would take effect immediately.
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