Bill > AB519

This bill prohibits pet brokers from selling or offering for sale dogs under one year old, cats, or rabbits, with several important exemptions. The bill defines a broker as any person or business that sells, arranges, negotiates, or processes animal sales for profit, including online transactions. Specifically, the legislation prevents brokers from facilitating the transfer of these animals, with exceptions for individual owners selling up to three animals per year, governmental agencies, service animal transfers, public animal shelters, animal rescue groups, and nonprofit organizations focused on youth animal education. The bill builds upon existing pet protection laws, such as the Lockyer-Polanco-Farr Pet Protection Act, which already mandates health and safety standards for pet sales. The intent appears to be reducing commercial breeding operations and promoting animal welfare by restricting the commercial sale of young animals. The law would apply to dogs, cats, and rabbits, and includes clear definitions of terms like "animal rescue group" to ensure precise implementation, with violations subject to civil penalties.

Business and Industry

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB519