A proposed bill would make it illegal to sell pets in stores in New York.

The bill sponsored by Sen. Michael Gianaris of Queens and Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal of Manhattan would require pet retailers to obtain their animals from licensed rescue shelters or human societies. The rescue organization would retain ownership of the animal if it isn't adopted.

The Democratic lawmakers hope to prohibit pet stores from selling dogs, cats and rabbits from large commercial breeders.

According to the ASPCA, New York has one of the country’s highest concentrations of dog retailers. At any given point, there are approximately 2,000 puppies for sale across the state. Pet shops often source their puppies from out-of-state, low-welfare, commercial breeding facilities, puppy mills, then sell them to customers as healthy, high-quality puppies from responsible breeders.

Last year a similar bill failed to pass, but supporters are hopeful it will pass this year now that Democrats control the House and Senate in New York, according to AP.

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