New York Tails Editorial Policies:

1. All articles reflect the research and opinions, professional and otherwise, of the individual writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or other staff members of New York Tails.

2. All paid advertising will be clearly marked as advertising; New York Tails strives to maintain the line between paid advertising and objectively written, researched editorial pieces.

New York Tails Advertising Policies:

1. New York Tails accepts all product ads (products, foods, services, etc.) on good faith. As with all consumer goods and services, potential consumers are urged to be educated consumers. Publication of an ad in New York Tails should not be interpreted to be an endorsement of the product, business or service by New York Tails staff.

2. New York Tails magazine maintains a strict "no puppy/kitten mills" policy and will not knowingly carry ads promoting this practice or any other practice that veers away from recognized ethical breeding practices. At the same time, we recognize there are responsible, ethical breeders and hope to provide a positive advertising forum that enables them to reach people who would like to buy a specific breed of pet.

3. Before accepting a breeder's advertisement, we require them to sign a disclosure form that asks questions adapted from the Humane Society of the United States' document "How To Identify A Good Dog Breeder - Tips from the Humane Society of the United States." Additionally, New York Tails will check American Kennel Club and United States Department of Agriculture databases and any other databases as deemed appropriate in an effort to discover if there are suspensions against the breeder. Finally, we will run text near the breeder's ad which indicates that, while all breeders in New York Tails have gone through this strict preliminary screening process, readers are still urged to do their own research and ask questions. (To view a copy of our disclosure statement, click here.) An excellent website for education on this topic is http://www.nopuppymills.com

4. New York Tails urges potential pet owners to consider these options in the following order:
First Choice: Adoption (the best option) from a recognized organization like New York Center for Animal Care and Control, the ASPCA, or established rescue groups.
Second Choice: Breed Rescue Groups if a specific breed of animal is desired Third Choice: Directly from reputable, ethical breeders with checkable references and accessible premises.
Potential pet buyers should come prepared with a list of questions for the dog/cat breeder and be prepared to answer the breeder's questions as well. For a list of questions, visit The Humane Society of the United States website: http://files.hsus.org/web-files/PDF/good_breeder_checklist.pdf

For Your Information:
In New York State, the sale of pet dogs and cats is regulated by the Department of Agriculture and Markets, Division of Animal Husbandry. Any business that sells more than nine dogs or cats per year to the public for profit must be licensed and inspected by the New York State Dept. of Agriculture. New York State's Pet Dealer Licensing Program began in 2001 and became law in 2002. Its two primary goals are:

1. Ensuring that dogs and cats are properly cared for, have adequate and humane housing and receive veterinary care while kept by pet dealers, and;

2. Provides consumers purchasing dogs and cats from pet dealers with the information concerning the animals' health, medical history and origin. (Note: You have a right to ask for this information. For example, many pet stores say their animals come from "local" breeders. They are required to show proof that this is true. However, it is generally accepted that reputable, ethical breeders would never sell their animals through a retail pet store where they cannot check out the prospective buyers.)

For detailed information on your rights and a pet dealer's responsibilities, or to report complaints or concerns about a pet business, visit http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/petdealer/moreinfo.html
Or call the Department of Agriculture's division of animal Industry at (518) 457-3502
Or write to them at: State of New York, Department of Agriculture and Markets, Division of Animal Industry, 10B Airline Drive, Albany, New York 12235 Attention: Lora E. Vincent, Program Manager