News & Media

Two of the price increases we saw in NPR's basket were in pet products: a dog leash and a dog collar. The industry has been hit by tariffs affecting fabric, metal and plastic--and many of the pet items are predominantly made in China, said Mike Bober, head of the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council. 

The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council out of Washington DC has also railed against the event, stating it, "will unnecessarily threaten the health of over 1,000 goldfish and send a dangerous message to adulst and children." 

Mike Bober, president and CEO of the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council, said Friday that the current and planned tariffs, plus the Chinese retaliations, are having a significant impact on pet trade and American pet owners.

U.S. pet owners could soon feel the impact of America's intensifying trade war with China deep down in their pockets. Earlier this month, President Donald Trump imposed a 25% tariff on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods. And China's Finance Ministry responded by placing a tariff on $60 billion worth of U.S. goods, starting in June. Now it's things like pet food and goldfish -- which are currently available for as low as $1 -- that could soon cost more because they are frequently imported to U.S. pet store suppliers directly from China.

Pet fish owners could soon pay more for aquarium water filters when they visit their local PetSmart, due to tariffs imposed on imports from China. A few aisles over, the price of dog and pet food could soon rise as steel and aluminum tariffs increase the costs for producers such as Cargill and J.M. Smucker Co.

FAIRFAX, VA - Mike Bober, president of the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council, argued hedgehogs aren’t any different from other pets and that claiming they are difficult to care for is dangerous and inaccurate. “Hedgehogs can be cared (for) through widely available products, through education and through an effort to remind people that when they take on an effort to care for an animal, whatever that animal is, they have a responsibility,” argued Bober.

COLUMBUS, OH - House Bill 506 establishes standards for dog breeders in Ohio and places stricter regulations on “high-volume breeders.” Local breeders and retailers interviewed expressed mixed feelings about the new law, some of which originated from misinformation about the bill’s contents. - Toledo Blade

Your online shopping addiction may soon set you back even more as the U.S. Supreme Court this week will hear the case against retailers that have not been collecting sales tax from customers. - New York Post

AIEA, OAHU - On Friday, the First Circuit Court -- sitting as the Environmental Court -- ruled that any and all existing aquarium fish permits issued to commercial collectors to date are illegal and invalid. - Hawaii News Now

PHOENIX - "An Arizona lawmaker will be making another push in 2018 for a bill that would create a public animal abuse registry where someone with a felony conviction of animal cruelty would be listed." - from Tucscon.com

CAMBRIDGE, MA - “Unfortunately, this ordinance does nothing to address breeding practices and, instead, penalizes retailers whose commitment to animal welfare — and support for local shelters and rescues across the country — is widely recognized by both for-profit and nonprofit sectors of pet care professionals,” Bober said in a statement. - from Boston Globe

ARLINGTON COUNTY, VA - "Those who violate Arlington’s still-a-work-in-progress ban on exotic pets would face fines of $250 – per day – that they are out of compliance, according to a revised proposal forwarded by staff to the County Board." - from InsideNova

TAMARAC - "Tamarac officials said there were only two pit bull-related bites in the city in recent years. One of the dogs was sent to an animal rescue group upstate and the other was moved to North Carolina." - from Sun Sentinel

ANNAPOLIS – “With the stroke of a pen and a wag of a tail, Hogan pumped up financial support and standards for shelters and increased oversight on breeders.” from CBS Baltimore

HONOLULU - "According to Rep. Ing, the measure is based off input gathered from three-years of work on the aquarium trade issue." from KITV4 ABC News

On Tuesday, a coalition of New Jersey pet retailers condemned Just Pups’ frequent abuse of animals and violations of state and federal laws. As reported by The Daily Record, the six state-based businesses and the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) said that accusations against Just Pups owner Vincent Losacco was “are extremely disturbing” and that Losacco and others who abuse animals “do not reflect the true pet-retailer industry, which cares both for and about pets, and aims to provide pets loving homes.”

TRENTON - "Singleton has said the registry would act as a deterrent against animal abuse, and would also help animal organizations screen prospective employees or individuals looking to adopt animals." from Burlington County Times

GROVE CITY - "That decision came just days after Gov. John Kasich signed a law that will override the source of the confrontation — a new Grove City law that would have restricted where the national pet store chain's Grove City store could purchase its dogs. The Grove City law was set to become effective Sunday." - Columbus Dispatch

PORTLAND - A list of permissible exotics pets will be updated, and owners fear too many people with little experience will make the decisions. - From Portland Press Herald

MUNDELEIN - Mundelein’s Village Board voted Monday to require pet shops to disclose the origin of their animals, a step back from a plan discussed last month that would have banned so-called puppy mill sales. - from Chigago Tribune

NORTH LAS VEGAS - "The City Council is set to discuss a new law that would require those shops to only sell animals that come from shelters, rescues, or non-profits. The goal is to find homes for the animals already in our community and keep puppy mill animals out of pet stores." - from KTNV 13

MUNDELEIN - "Schroeder said she has sold non-shedding hypoallergenic dogs for more than 15 years, mostly from her home in Wadsworth until moving to Long Grove last year. She said her dogs come from reputable breeders and she complies with all state laws." - from Chicago Tribune

SAFETY HARBOR – “A topic first brought to the commission by a concerned resident about a year ago was passed by the City Commission as a new ordinance Monday prohibiting the retail sale of cats and dogs within city limits.” – from Tampa Bay Times

TRENTON - "Mike Bober, CEO and president of the Washington, D.C.-based Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council, said that, with New Jersey already being one of the most regulated states in the industry through laws already on the books, Lesniak’s latest bill is too much." - from NJ Biz

JOHANNESBURG - "The United Nations has banned global trade in wild African Grey Parrots, prized for their ability to imitate human speech, to help counter a decline in numbers caused by trafficking and forest loss." - from Reuters US News

WEST PALM BEACH - "New pet stores in Palm Beach County will no longer be able to sell dogs or cats as part of an effort to crack down on substandard breeders known as puppy mills." - from Sun Sentinel

KAILUA-KONA - "An appeals court has ruled that about 50 Hawaii businesses with permits to catch fish bound for aquariums do not need environmental assessments to receive the state permits allowing them to collect the fish." - from Honolulu Star Advertiser

AURORA - "The proposed ordinance, which Richardson said is meant to prohibit the sale of dogs and cats from large scale breeders or “puppy mills” in pet shops in Aurora, would limit where pet shops or dealers could purchase a cat or dog to sell in Aurora." - from Aurora Sentinel

HOUSTON - "Exotic pet stores are required to record the names and addresses of every buyer who purchases a snake covered by the state regulations, but they aren’t required to submit those records to the state. Individual pet stores maintain the records in the event state regulators ask to see them." - from KHOU 11

ALBANY - "Cats and dogs used for research by colleges and universities will soon be put up for adoption after their work is completed, according to a law signed Tuesday by Gov. Andrew Cuomo." from Democrat & Chronicle

PAWTUCKET - "The city of Pawtucket is looking to reinstate a “breed specific” ban on pit bulls after a vicious dog panel voted last week to return a pit bull-boxer mix to its owners after it mauled another dog to death in June." from WPRI 12

ROCKFORD - "It's an amendment to the Animal Control Act, where now if your dog or cat bites someone you must take it in for a bite exam within 24 hours after it happens." - from WREX 13

GREENWICH, CT - "The Pet Leadership Council (PLC), an organization comprised of pet industry leaders, animal welfare advocates, veterinarians, and academia, is announcing its support for Canine Care Certified, a new national, voluntary program that sets rigorous, science-based standards for professional breeders." - from Stamford Advocate

WASHINGTON, DC - "...provides the Secretary of Agriculture with the authority to determine that animal dealers and exhibitors are not required to obtain a license under the Act and regulations if the size of the business conducting AWA-related activities is determined to be de minimis by the Secretary." - from Federal Register

LAS VEGAS - "Canine Care Certified, a national, voluntary program that sets rigorous standards for professional breeders, was developed after three years of research at Purdue University’s Center for Animal Welfare Science and was peer-reviewed by animal scientists and canine welfare experts from major academic institutions." - from San Antonio Express News

PORTLAND - "The ordinance would prohibit retail sales of dogs and cats, unless they come from an animal care facility or rescue organization." - from Portland Press Herald

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY - " The law says any county that has a licensing requirement for dogs must provide at least 45 days notice to dog owners that their license needs renewal. That’s not happening in Hillsborough." - from WFLA News Channel 8

PARAMUS - "But after concerns were raised at a town meeting Wednesday night that a proposed ordinance created a standard different than that of the state level for pet stores, the ordinance was held for a future work session." - from NorthJersey.com

SACRAMENTO - "California will no longer label dogs seized from illegal fighting rings as “vicious,” making safe rescue dogs more likely to get adopted." - from CBS Los Angeles

NASHVILLE - "Metro Nashville is thinking about a big change that could impact pet owners. It involves dogs, and it may lessen requirements involving rabies shots." - from WKRN TV

ST. PETERSBURG - "Council members unanimously gave tentative approval to an ordinance that would ban the sale of dogs and cats in St. Petersburg pet shops unless they came from humane organizations or rescue groups.  The item is scheduled for a final public hearing at the July 21 meeting." - from SaintPetersBlog

MARYLAND - "Some of the ideas that have been discussed are forming a registry of all those convicted of animal cruelty cases, possibly preventing those who are found guilty from ever owning animals again." - from WMDT ABC 47

COLUMBIA - "The bill puts in place critical safeguards to protect pets and pet owners and ensures everyone will have access to the highest quality of care available." - from the Charleston Chronicle

PARAMUS - "The Paramus Mayor and Council took steps to becoming the second town in Bergen County to ban the sale of dogs bred in puppy mills with the introduction of an ordinance at its June 28 meeting." - from NorthJersey.com

TRENTON - "“It’s a bill that comes from a good place, but unfortunately does some very bad things,” said Mike Bober, president and CEO of the Washington-based Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council. Bober said the bill will make it difficult for any new store to open and weakens a pet protection law that has been a model for the rest of the country." - from NorthJersey.com

RENO - "June 28, 2016 in Washoe County Commission Chambers, Smith updated commissioners about an exotic animal ordinance that's been in the works for about two years." - from KOLO 8 TV - Reno

BOSTON - "The sale of dogs and cats younger than 8 weeks old would be prohibited under a bill the Massachusetts state Senate is set to take up on Tuesday." - from Masslive.com

YAKIMA - "Yakima’s 29-year-old ban on the dog breed will remain in place after the City Council voted 4-3 against moving the issue to committee for further discussion." - from The Spokesman-Review

TALLAHASSEE - "According to an issue analysis submitted to the City Commission, Edwards believes the formation of a task force would make it easer for state and local government agencies to work together in stopping animal abuse and holding perpetrators accountable." - from WXTL ABC 27

EMERSON - "With the unanimous decision, Emerson joined a growing list of towns — mostly in southern and central New Jersey — that have banned the sale of dogs from puppy mills." - from NorthJersey.com

ROSEBURG - "A 10-pound snapping turtle recently found at the Yoncalla Water Treatment Plant is a good reminder not to release pet turtles into the wild." - from KGW.com

SANTA MARIA - "Santa Barbara County’s largest city will soon have a law that encourages owners to spay and neuter their pets to address overpopulation of cats and dogs." - from Noozhawk.com

AUGUSTA - "Many animals on the state's new restricted list will still be allowed under the proposal, but a permit from the DIFW to possess an animal on the list would be required in many cases." - from Maine Sun Journal

ROCHESTER - "Dog owners bit back at the possibility of expanded restrictions on certain breeds of dogs after a petition for breed-neutral legislation was presented to the Rochester City Council on Monday night." - from Rochester Post-Bulletin

TRENTON - "The bill, sponsored by Senators Raymond Lesniak, D-Union and James Beach, D-Camden, would require that all pet sale transactions be conducted “face-to-face.” - from NorthJersey.com

TAMPA - "The commission voted 6-0 to create a new registry for people convicted of misdemeanor and felony animal abuse." - from Tampa Bay Times

HOLLYWOOD - "Joining the wave of cities hoping to snuff out puppy mills, city commissioners on Wednesday banned the retail sale of cats and dogs bred in so-called puppy mills and kitten factories." - from Sun Sentinel

"COLUMBUS — A controversial amendment that would have nullified Toledo’s ordinance restricting where pet stores may buy their dogs will be stripped from an unrelated bill today." - from toledoblade.com

"PHOENIX (AP) - The Arizona Senate has passed a measure that would block cities from regulating the sale of commercially bred dogs and cats in pet stores." - from tusconnewsnow.com

"Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R) signed into law March 24 a bill to require animal shelters and rescue groups to spay/neuter cats and dogs before adoption." - from examiner.com

"'We are worried that legislation like this limits pet choice and creates situations where families must select pets not ideal for their situation,' said Bober, whose group represents pet stores and other businesses in the pet industry." - from sun-sentinel.com

"Tuesday night commissioners are expected to pass rules banning pet stores from selling dogs or cats unless the animals come from shelters or rescue groups." - from wptv.com

"PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Animal abuse laws in Rhode Island could become tougher as lawmakers consider a group of new bills." - from turnto10.com

"'We started getting a lot of emails and phone calls about it and I think we’ve seen tonight what that input can do,' Holman said. 'The point is, the council does listen to the public when there are concerns. Decisions are not set in stone or made far in advance. We will listen, and I think this is an example of how we can change policy based on public comment.'" - from normantranscript.com

"Jamaica Plain City Councilor Matt O’Malley introduced an ordinance nicknamed the 'Puppy Mill Bill' on Feb. 22 that would ban the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet stores in Boston, according to a press release." - from jamaicaplaingazette.com

"Despite potential Grove City Council action that could impact its operations, Petland will open its new Grove City store as scheduled at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27. 'We have a lot of special events planned for our grand-opening celebration,' said Elizabeth Kunzelman, director of public affairs for Petland." - from thisweeknews.com

"'I am pleased we sent the message that our community abhors the inhumane treatment of animals by puppy mills,' Potok said in an email. 'But I would have preferred following our counsel's advice to first consult with the New York attorney general's office. I expect that the new law will prove legally defective.'"

"GROVE CITY, Ohio (WCMH)–A Petland on London Groveport Road opens February 27 in Grove City. The question remains, will they be able to sell puppies from high-volume breeders?" - from nbci4.com

"Philadelphia could soon be the next city to ban pet stores from selling commercially bred dogs and cats, a move that prioritizes adoptions of rescue animals and is aimed at stopping the growth of so-called animal 'mills.'" - from www.post-gazette.com

NORMAN, Okla. - Snakes are at the center of controversy in Norman. Tuesday night, several pet owners showed up to the city council meeting to voice their concerns over a proposed ordinance that would ban certain types of exotic creatures like pythons and boa constrictors. - from kfor.com

Legislation to prohibit localities from banning certain dog breeds is under review in the Kentucky Senate. The measure got the backing of the Senate Agriculture Committee last week. Lee Greenwood with Best Friends Animal Society says it’s a property rights issue. “The science is pretty clear, as we said, there really is no connection between breed and a dog’s propensity for acting in one way or another.” - from wkms.org

"HONOLULU (AP) - Hawaii lawmakers are tackling issues from animal rights to police accountability as lawmakers head into their third full week of the 2016 legislative session." from - washingtontimes.com

"On Jan. 28, Bellmawr became the 14th municipality in Camden County to adopt an ordinance banning the sale of dogs and cats...." - From courierpostonline.com

"Clark County is exploring what steps it can take to discourage pet stores from selling animals bred in inhumane conditions." - from lasvegassun.com

"Grove City Council members were searching for answers before voting Monday on whether to ban what would be its only pet store from selling "puppy mill" dogs." - from dispatch.com

"A proposed ordinance that would ban the sale of dogs or cats from pet stores in Tempe unless the animal was obtained from an animal shelter or rescue organization drew strong protests from the store's supporters during a public hearing Thursday night." - from azcentral.com

"SARASOTA - Sarasota County commissioners heard more than 10 hours of public comment from over 100 people before voting 3-2 in favor of an ordinance Wednesday banning the sale of commercially bred dogs and cats in retail establishments." - from heraldtribune.com

"Sarasota County commissioners are scheduled to vote Wednesday on an ordinance that would ban retail pet stores from selling commercially bred dogs and cats." - from heraldtribune.com

"It could soon be easier to become a backyard chicken farmer — and be legal to become a reptile owner — in Minneapolis." - from startribune.com

"Buying little Johnny a new puppy from your neighborhood pet shop is quickly becoming a thing of the past. And not just in Las Vegas, which voted to ban the retail sale of non-rescue dogs and cats on Jan. 6. - from reviewjournal.com

"A stack of bills will be debated in the State House on Thursday, including laws that would crack down on unlawful tethering and abandoning of pets, but the big one is a ban on the sale of cats and dogs younger than eight weeks old." - from twcnews.com

"Wednesday’s edition of the Federal Register contains new protections for tropical fish, export and import regulations, and payment requirements for government subcontractors." - from thehill.com

"There will be no doggies for sale in any window of any store in Palm Beach Gardens." - from mypalmbeachpost.com

"APPLETON (WI) - Council members could vote on a proposal to allow snakes up to 6 feet as pets at its Jan. 20 meeting." - from postcrescent.com

"The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is amending its regulations under the Lacey Act to add all species of salamanders from 20 genera, of which there are 201 species, to the list of injurious amphibians." - from federalregister.gov

"The Warrenville (IL) Community Development and Planning Committee/Committee of the Whole will continue discussing a proposed ordinance to ban the unlicensed breeding of dogs and cats during its regular meeting at 7 p.m. today ..." - from championnews.net

'JANESVILLE, WI (WKOW) -- A city council member in Janesville is responding to calls for tougher standards for pet stores as some in the community are rallying to urge pet owners to support shelters and not what they're calling puppy mills." - from wkow.com

"MAMARONECK, NY - The village's first agenda item of 2016: protect its furry, four-legged friends." - from lohud.com

"Some pet stores in Las Vegas will need a serious makeover to comply with a new law passed by the city council that will shake up the traditional sales of dogs, cats and even potbellied pigs." - from reviewjournal.com

"MADISON, Wisconsin — A Republican bill that would outlaw possession of dangerous exotic animals grew more complicated Tuesday after its authors said they plan to soften it to protect more businesses." - from dailyjournal.net

"Bernadette Juarez has been named acting Deputy Administrator for the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Animal Care (AC) program." - from wattagnet.com

"PROVIDENCE -- Penalties of $15,000 were lodged against a dog daycare business where a golden retriever mix was injured so severely during unsupervised play outside that she had to be destroyed." - from providencejournal.com

"AVENEL, NJ — A state senator has filed a bill that would crack down on the sale of pets from large-scale breeders in an effort to put so-called puppy and kitten mills out of business." - from nj.com

"The “Working Dog” is now New York’s official state dog. Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a measure into law last week that added trained working dogs to the list of creatures that represent the state." - from wnbf.com

"APPLETON, WI - The city's Health Committee could recommend a new ordinance that would increase the size of snakes allowed as pets." - from postcresent.com