Bill > HB131

This bill establishes comprehensive regulations for retail pet stores in Delaware, prohibiting them from selling dogs or cats while allowing them to collaborate with animal shelters and rescue organizations to showcase animals for adoption. The legislation defines key terms such as "animal rescue" (a nonprofit organization dedicated to animal placement), "animal shelter" (a facility providing temporary or permanent shelter to animals), "breeder" (someone who breeds and sells dogs or cats), and "retail pet store" (premises selling domestic animals as household pets). Under the new law, retail pet stores and brokers are expressly forbidden from selling, leasing, transferring ownership, or disposing of cats or dogs, with exceptions for collaborative adoption showcases. If a retail pet store works with an animal shelter or rescue, they must ensure that no animals were purchased by the shelter and that the store has no financial interest in the animal sales. Violations will result in a $500 civil penalty for each prohibited sale, with the Office of Animal Welfare within the Department of Health and Social Services responsible for enforcement. The bill also makes corresponding amendments to existing Delaware code sections to integrate these new provisions, expanding the enforcement powers of animal welfare officers to include retail pet store regulations. The new law will take effect six months after its enactment.

Health and Social Services

https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?LegislationId=142170