The state is set to be the second in the US to ban the mills

The opposition expressed concerns the ban will interfere with pet store profits

Maryland's lawmakers

voted to ban the sale of puppies and kittens from pet mills in the state at a

General Assembly on Saturday.

Ban

Maryland is

set to join California - the only state in the US with a standing ban on sales of pets from mills - pending the approval of Governor Larry Hogan.

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The bill will

prohibit sales of cats and dogs in pet stores, with the exception of those that

have come from animal welfare organizations, animal control

units, and licensed breeders.

House

Speaker Michael Busch pushed for the bill with the support of his sister Kathleen 'Laurie' Bernhardt, who saved her brother's life the year before by giving him

half of her liver.

The bill was disputed by those who want to continue to purchase from breeders

Opposition

Despite the

approval of lawmakers, the bill has been disputed by those who worry it will

interfere with businesses that turn a profit by commofidying animals.

Donna Ryan,

of pet store Just Puppies in Towson was one of the naysayers.

She

explained that her store goes 'beyond the rules that Maryland has already

established' but that the new bill could prevent Just Puppies from dealing with

small breeding operations.

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Species specific

Other

opponents of the bill thought it fell short at the expense of other animals.

During

discussions earlier in the month, Republican Del. Deborah C. Ray questioned why it only applied to cats and

dogs.

She asked: "Aren't you worried about the rats

and the birds and the ferrets?"