Bill > HB131

This bill establishes new regulations for retail pet stores in Delaware, primarily focusing on the sale of dogs and cats. It defines terms like "animal rescue," "animal shelter," "breeder," "broker," and "retail pet store," with specific exclusions for certain organizations and individuals. The core provision prohibits most retail pet stores from selling, leasing, or otherwise transferring ownership of dogs and cats, with an exception for stores that have been selling dogs for at least one year prior to the bill's enactment and meet stringent requirements. These requirements include obtaining dogs only from breeders and brokers with specific U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) licenses and clean violation records, disclosing detailed information about the source of each dog, and maintaining records for inspection by the Office of Animal Welfare. The bill also allows retail pet stores to collaborate with animal shelters and rescues to showcase animals for adoption, provided the store has no financial interest in the adoption and the animals were not purchased by the shelter or rescue. Enforcement of these provisions will be handled by the Office of Animal Welfare, with penalties including civil fines and potential suspension or revocation of operating licenses. Additionally, the bill clarifies the enforcement powers of animal welfare officers regarding retail pet stores and ensures that fines and penalties collected are remitted to the enforcing agency.