Law banning non-rescue animals being sold in California pet stores comes into effect

A super cute ginger kitten resting on a bed with an adorably surprised look on its face. Appears to be very soft.
The bill is aiming to stop cats being bred in "kitten farms". Photo credit: Getty

The last non-rescue pets are for sale in California pet stores, as retailers prepare for a ban on their sale.

California passed a law banning the same of kittens, rabbits and puppies that do not come from a rescue organisation in October 2017.

AB 485 was written to discourage the use of puppy mills or kitten farms, where animals are often bred in horrible conditions.

Retailers will only be able to sell animals that come from a public animal control agency or shelter, humane society group, SPCA shelter or rescue group that has an agreement with at least one private or public shelter, NBC News San Diego reports.

Stores that do not sell rescue animals will face a $500 fine.

Pet store owners had complained about the bill when it passed, saying it would put them out of business. One owner said it also took away choice from customers.

"It takes the freedom of choice from people who want to get a puppy. They don’t want to get someone else’s unwanted dog or something of that nature," Puppy Heaven owner Ben Ashel told the New York Times in October 2017.

The law does not cover prospective owners buying animals directly from a breeder.

NBC News San Diego reports the local Humane Society has sent a letter to nearby pet stores reminding them of the law.

San Diego Humane Society vice president of community response Stephen Mackinnon told NBC News they're yet to hear from any pet stores wanting to take the shelter's animals.

But he's not sure the Humane Society would let a pet store take them if it asked.

"We're not prepared to do that ourselves, because we have a fairly robust adoption program."

Newshub.