Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill into law last week prohibiting pet stores from selling dogs and cats.

House Bill 1011 would still allow pet stores to house pets available for adoption through local shelters.

Eight states and 26 Colorado towns have banned pet stores from selling animals, such as dogs, cats, and rabbits. According to the bill’s sponsors, seven pet stores in Colorado sell dogs and cats from brokers.

“Colorado’s furry four-legged friends deserve loving homes,” said Polis. “We are stopping the harmful overbreeding of dogs and cats in terrible conditions in the puppy mill industry, and encourage Coloradans to adopt, not shop or purchase from a legitimate breeder. I am grateful to the sponsors of this bill for standing up for these animals, helping them find a forever home in our Colorado for all.”

Opponents of the measure argued it targets small businesses, rather than the real culprits, puppy mills.

“Underground” puppy sales significantly increased after California passed a similar law in 2017, according to the Los Angeles Times

“Since I was elected, I’ve worked hard to promote animal welfare and close the puppy mill pipeline,” said House Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, one of the bill’s sponsors. “Promoting the health of our pets and protecting consumers has been the primary goal of this bill. The Pistol the Pomeranian Protection Act, named after my beloved puppy mill survivor, will take a monumental step forward by ending the cruel practice of selling dogs and cats in stores for profit.”

Commercial breeding facilities and brokers are licensed through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The agency has cited numerous facilities — including several in Colorado — for repeated violations, including extreme temperatures, failing to treat animals’ medical conditions, overcrowding, and unsanitary conditions, Duran earlier told the House Agriculture, Water and Natural Resources Committee.

“Behind the glass in many retail stores is a national pipeline fueled by large-scale commercial breeding facilities,” she said. “This is not just another policy debate for me. It is personal. It’s about love, it’s about trust, and it’s about responsibility.”

Brandon Lenning, who owns one of the last remaining pet stores in the state that sells puppies, Pet Paradise in Pueblo, also told legislators earlier that he cares deeply about the health and well-being of every animal in his store and he is strongly opposed to puppy mills.

But, he argued, the legislation targets small businesses, rather than the real culprits.

“If the concern is puppy mills or unethical breeding practices, then let’s fight this together. Let’s strengthen inspections and increase penalties for violations,” he said. “Let’s create higher transparency requirements at the source, but do not remove customer choice and destroy legitimate livelihoods in the process.”

If pet stores are prohibited from selling puppies, people will likely seek alternative ways to purchase them, such as online or from unregulated sellers, Lenning said.

“We all have the same goal. We want to end animal cruelty,” he said. “I promise you, this is not the way to do it. This bill will not end demand for puppies, and it will not close the pipeline. It will shift the demand to unregulated online out-of-state transactions and underground markets where oversight is weaker.”

Pet stores are some of the most regulated businesses in Colorado, added Alyssa Miller-Hurley of Pet Advocacy Network.

Under the state’s Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act, pet stores are required to be licensed by the state and undergo regular inspections, as well as provide regular veterinary oversight. They must also adhere to certain animal welfare requirements.

Miller-Hurley said states like California and New York that have implemented pet store bans have seen increases in “black market” puppy sales.

The bill’s other sponsors are Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Hygiene, Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez and Sen. Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco.