After New York state banned pet shops from selling dogs and other animals last winter, some of that business is shifting to Connecticut in a trend that concerns animal protection groups.

“We’ve had at least three shops open in Stamford this year, and we’ve organized some protests outside,” said Pat Harmon, a longtime member of the Humane Society of the United States. “This Sunday we’ll be going out in front of one on Long Ridge Road, All American Breeders.”

The controversy has chiefly been in Fairfield County so far, but a new operation opening in Newington this fall sparked debate on Facebook between people who praise the business and others opposing it. Gary Newman’s CT Breeders store has operated in Norwalk for seven years and now is launching a location on the Berlin Turnpike.

“We are moving one of our locations from Brooklyn after 39 years. Very sad. CT has been very kind to us and for me personally,” Newman said in a Facebook post last month. “We will create about 15 to 20 new jobs at a minimum.”

He is remodeling the former Utopia store at 2221 Berlin Turnpike into a shop where he’ll sell puppies as well as dog food, other products and related services. News of the move drew a mixed reaction on Facebook last month, with some existing CT Breeders customers eagerly welcoming the announcement while other commenters took a different view.

“We don’t need puppy mills here,” one woman wrote.

Newman defended his business, saying it has a solid reputation built over decades of work.

“We have matched tens of thousands of people and pets for almost 40 years. All of our puppies have vaccines and are dewormed. Training is free for the lifetime of the puppy. One free grooming and one free visit to the veterinarian is also included. All of our breeders info are on display as per CT state laws,” he wrote.

In response to another Facebook post, Newman maintained that the Berlin store isn’t a result of New York’s ban.

“NY is a mess. It is dangerous and so many people are moving out, our motivation had nothing to do with the insane laws but rather the condition of the city,” he wrote.

Animal protection organizations in the state said that this year they’ve seen a sharp rise in the number of Connecticut stores selling pets.

“I’ve heard about the new ones in Stamford. I saw the prices at one and they were jaw-dropping: up to $1,000 or $1,500,” said Kerry Dobson, executive director of PAWS, the Pet Animal Welfare Society of Norwalk.

Private nonprofit shelters typically charge far less; PAWS adoptions cost $375 for a dog that’s been vaccinated and spayed or neutered. Adopting a dog from a municipal shelter can be as low as $50.

“We’re seeing an influx of stores because of the New York law, and these stores make a lot of money. I’ve seen prices of $2,500, and if it’s a French bulldog the price is $5,000,” Harmon said Thursday. “And people think they’re buying this healthy puppy, but they can be getting quite a sick animal. The conditions in the puppy mills are hell on earth, the animals don’t get medical care.

“Good breeders don’t sell to pet stores because nobody tracks where the pets go after that. Good breeders make sure their puppies go to loving homes, and they’ll take them back if they need to,” Harmon said.

CT Breeder’s website bills the store as offering “the finest designer puppies and purebreds available anywhere,” and promises that each one comes with all required paperwork and vaccination information. The company provides free lifetime dog training for each puppy, as well as a consultation with a staff member “to ensure a successful transition home.”

James Bias, executive director of the Connecticut Humane Society, said his experience with stores that sell puppies has been generally poor.

“The majority of those stores sell puppies to make a profit, and they’re getting them from high-volume breeding operations. The dogs are in kennels their entire lives, pumping out two or maybe three litters a year. Reputable breeders don’t need a retailer to sell their puppy,” Bias said. “Even the big box pet stores, Pet Smart and Petco, invite nonprofit rescue groups in to create their supply. In 2023 the idea of having a retail operation for the sale of puppies doesn’t make sense.”

Illinois, California and Maryland all prohibit stores from selling pets, and Oregon joined them this summer. But the pet store industry contends that’s counterproductive. Bans don’t affect unscrupulous breeders, and make it harder for buyers seeking a specific breed of dog — ultimately leading to more fraud on the black market, according to the Pet Advocacy Network, formerly known as the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council.

“In the two and a half years after California enacted a similar pet sale ban, reported puppy scams surged by 350%, and veterinarians saw an increase in sick puppies acquired from unregulated sources,” the council claims.