summary
Introduced
02/02/2026
02/02/2026
In Committee
02/17/2026
02/17/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the Animal Welfare Act. Defines "professional breeder". Provides that an animal shelter shall not accept a dog or cat from an animal shelter licensed under the Act or an out-of-state animal control facility, rescue group, or animal shelter that is duly licensed in their state or is a not-for-profit organization unless it obtains documentation attesting that the dog or cat was not obtained through compensation or payment made to a cat breeder, dog breeder, dog dealer, or dog broker. Provides that an animal shelter shall not obtain a dog or cat by any means other than owner surrender, transfer from an animal control facility, an order by law enforcement, or an animal shelter in compliance with provisions concerning reporting of animals. Provides that a pet shop operator or dog dealer (rather than just a pet shop operator) may offer for sale a dog or cat only if the dog or cat is obtained from an animal control facility, animal shelter, or professional breeder (rather than just an animal control facility or an animal shelter) located in-state or out-of-state, that is in compliance with provisions concerning animal control facilities and animal shelters supplying to pet shop operators and requirements of professional dog breeders. Removes provisions concerning the requirement that a pet shop operator shall keep a record of each dog or cat offered for sale. Creates additional requirements for professional dog breeders. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation's obligations under the provisions concerning the requirements for professional dog breeders are subject to appropriation.
AI Summary
This bill amends the Animal Welfare Act to define "professional breeder" as an entity or individual who owns more than five breeding female dogs, is federally regulated under the Animal Welfare Act, and sells or adopts offspring to pet stores or dog dealers. It prohibits animal shelters from accepting dogs or cats from other shelters or out-of-state organizations unless they receive documentation that the animals were not acquired through payment to breeders, dealers, or brokers, and restricts shelters to obtaining animals only through owner surrender, transfers from animal control, law enforcement orders, or from other compliant shelters. The bill also allows pet shop operators and dog dealers to sell dogs and cats obtained from animal control facilities, shelters, or professional breeders, and removes the requirement for pet shop operators to keep detailed records of each animal sold, while simultaneously establishing new, stringent requirements for professional dog breeders regarding enclosure size and construction, veterinary care, breeding practices, exercise, socialization, and retirement of animals, with the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation's duties under these new breeder provisions being contingent on available funding.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
House Agriculture & Conservation Committee Hearing (14:00:00 2/24/2026 Room 115) (on 02/24/2026)
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