New York City Council Passes Bill To Ban Sale of Guinea Pigs in Pet Stores
Pet Shops in New York City are going to undergo some big changes after the New York City Council voted to ban the sale of guinea pigs. It appears that stores will still be able to sell products related to the animals, but not the animals themselves.
Guinea pig lovers don't need to worry, though--it will still be legal to own these rodents in the city. Prospective owners can adopt guinea pigs from a number of NYC shelters, who are seeing more than their fair share of the animals.
As ABC7 reports, this bill was first proposed in December by The New York City Council Committee on Health. Now that it's been passed by the council, though, it will head to Mayor Adams to be signed into law. The city has been facing a 'Guinea Pig Crisis' since the rise of COVID-19 after residents made 'impulsive pandemic purchases.'
In 2022 alone, over 600 guinea pigs were surrendered to NYC shelters. This is a huge increase from the 481 surrendered in 2021 and the 282 arriving at shelters in 2019. And when Animal Care Centers' Katy Hansen asks surrendering owners where they got the animal, "over half [answer,] 'from a pet store.'"
These small animals make great pets for individuals or families, and they live an average of 7 to 10 years." Their needs are a lot larger than their bodies, though, so don't let the term 'small animal' fool you. A guinea pig requires space to exercise and play, a well-kept enclosure, and a nutritious diet, for starters.
Many people felt that they could not provide this after dealing with increasing rent prices and a transition to a post-pandemic world. There was even concern that "folks buying in pet shops aren't being told what's involved in caring for the animals," ABC7 explains.
With the ban on guinea pig sales in the city, officials hope more people will foster or adopt from a shelter. Rescues are overwhelmed with the number of guinea pigs in their care, and they need assistance now more than ever.
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