Bill > H967

This bill aims to ban the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet shops regulated under 330 CMR 12.00 (a specific administrative code for pet shop licensing). Under the proposed legislation, pet shops would be prohibited from selling these animals, but they would still be allowed to host animal rescue or shelter organizations to showcase animals for adoption, as long as the pet shop does not have an ownership interest in those animals. The bill provides a grandfather clause for existing pet shops that were already selling these animals before the law's effective date, allowing them to continue selling if they maintain their original license, ownership, and location, and have documented sales of the specific type of animal for at least one year prior. Violations of this ban would result in escalating civil penalties: $1,000 for the first offense, $2,500 for the second offense, and $5,000 for third and subsequent offenses, with potential suspension or revocation of the pet shop's license. Each advertisement, offer, or sale of an animal in violation would constitute a separate offense. The bill also explicitly preserves the authority of local governments to further regulate or prohibit animal sales, and it is set to take effect on January 1, 2027.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H967