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The Emmy Award-winning actress, who played Carmela Soprano on the iconic New Jersey show “The Sopranos” appeared in a video for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals urging lawmakers and New Jerseyans to support a bill in the state Legislature that would ban the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits at pet shops.
New York passed a similar law in 2022.
“Before I adopted my beloved dog Sami, she was rescued from a puppy mill, where she lived in a small dirty cage, with no space to run and play, and had limited access to veterinary care, food and water," Falco said.
"Her only job was to produce puppies,” said Edie Falco, actor and animal advocate. Thankfully, my Sami was rescued from these horrific conditions, and got to spend her final years in a loving home, but there are still hundreds of thousands of dogs trapped and suffering in puppy mills, while their puppies are shipped to New Jersey pet stores.
"We can stop this cruelty, and I urge state lawmakers to end the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet stores to keep the predatory puppy industry out of New Jersey.”
The ASPCA shared the video in honor on Saturday, Sept. 21, in honor of Puppy Mill Awareness Day.
“As we speak, there are hundreds of thousands of dogs trapped in puppy mills just like Sami was, and their puppies are sent to New Jersey pet stores,” Falco said.
The bill is co-sponsored by state Senator Brian Stack and state Senator Raj Mukherji, who represent Hudson County.
“New Jersey pet shops selling puppies, kittens and bunnies raised in shockingly cruel conditions is simply against the values of our pet-loving state,” the senators said. “We're proud to sponsor S2511 to give companion animals the protections they deserve, protect consumers and ensure that the few stores currently selling puppies transition to a more humane business model.”
Throughout the state, 145 municipalities have banned the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits at pet shops.
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