According to reports, a home in Queens is operating as a hidden luxury dog store, selling various designer breeds for prices that can reach up to $38,000. This occurs despite New York’s recent ban on puppy sales.
Last December, New York implemented the Puppy Mill Pipeline Act, which prohibits the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet shops.
However, Tiny Cuties NYC, located at 28th Street and 36th Street in Astoria, continues to offer customers a selection of trendy designer dogs. For instance, a miniature “Pomchi” (a mix of Pomeranian and Chihuahua) is available for $7,800, while an equally tiny Maltipom (Maltese and Pomeranian mix) costs $8,800. The most expensive option is a “micro-teacup” poodle named Miffy, priced at a staggering $38,000, as revealed by an undercover journalist.
The setup includes a living room adorned with luxurious items like Louis Vuitton and Hermès wallets, and pictures of the owner, Jenny Tsai, alongside several small dogs.
This was discovered by searching for “puppies for sale in New York City” on Google, where the business appeared prominently. Tsai claimed to have 35 puppies on her property, with an additional 30 located in Taiwan.
Tsai mentioned that her family runs a kennel in Taiwan, and that dogs are typically shipped when they reach six months old.
She asserted that over 600 dogs have been sold, explaining that each mother can only give birth to one puppy at a time due to health complications.
Price often correlates with size, as smaller puppies tend to be more valuable, she noted. It’s somewhat surprising, she added, that these tiny dogs survive at all.
Despite the appealing descriptions, concerns regarding health issues in small dogs were addressed. Tsai explained that some degree of patellar luxation is common in teacup breeds and cautioned owners to avoid situations that could lead to injury.
“This is a new designer variety,” Tsai said, referring to Harvey the Maltipom. “We research and develop different kinds. They’re all small and adorable.” Alongside this, she indicated that many customers prefer small dogs to fit into their luxury bags for travel.
Brian Shapiro from Humane World for Animals expressed outrage at the revelations, calling the operation absurd and indicating potential signs of abuse reminiscent of puppy mills.
After being confronted by the media, Tsai denied any involvement in puppy mill practices, insisting her business is not a pet shop. She claimed that all dogs are bred on-site and stressed that they have proper licenses and regular veterinary check-ups.
“We have a Department of Agriculture license and our veterinarian comes in regularly, so everything is fine,” Tsai defended her practices, emphasizing that they’re not an illegal operation.
Moreover, she noted that they also engage in charitable events like puppy yoga to benefit society.
Despite claims of good breeding practices, concerns about the general health of small dogs remain. Tsai argued that any small dog could face certain health challenges but downplayed other potential issues.
The shop appears to navigate a tricky legal space regarding dog sales. Reports highlight another store in Midtown that seemed to circumvent sales laws by not keeping dogs on-site, instead stating they could be picked up once imported.
New York’s Puppy Mill Pipeline Law explicitly prohibits the sale of animals in retail pet stores, encompassing both physical and digital sales.
Senator Michael Gianaris, a key supporter of the puppy ban, remarked that the law aims to curb the flow of puppies from abusive breeding operations while promoting adoptions from shelters.
He noted that since the law’s implementation, over 60 pet shops across New York have closed. Though Gianaris claims a significant drop in illegal puppy sales, he acknowledges that some individuals will always seek to exploit loopholes.
A recent case involved Vanity Pups, a pet store in Queens reportedly trying to sell an underage dog to an undercover officer, leading to a lawsuit. The store, accused of inconsistent business practices, currently denies wrongdoing.
Shapiro warned that the financial incentives mean some will inevitably try to find ways around the laws.
