More US states consider a ban on live pet sales in specialized shops

The Lone Star State and the First State could be the latest to ban the sale of live pets in retail establishments. Legislators have introduced bills following the lead of California, New York and other jurisdictions that have outlawed the practice.

These measures are generally meant to stop “puppy mills,” under-regulated, out-of-state breeders who are known to produce pets through unethical practices that may contribute to health problems and suffering for pets.

While each region generally regulates breeding practices within its borders, out-of-state breeders cannot be targeted unless an area cuts off its source of revenue. By banning retail sales, these states hope to dry up the puppy mill market in the US.

Texas

A bipartisan group of legislators in the Lone Star State introduced Senate Bill 1652 and House Bill 3458 this spring. The regulation would ban pet stores from selling dogs or cats not bred by the establishment.

However, it would allow retailers to offer adoption space to animal control agencies and nonprofit shelters. That makes Texas’s version of the pet shop ban different from regulations in other states, where shops are often allowed to lease space to a shelter or other organization.

The bill has been making its way through various House and Senate committees. In the Senate, the Business & Commerce committee left it unscheduled, and it’s unclear if or when it will be scheduled to advance.

If passed as written, the bill will go into effect in September. Shops that continue selling dogs and cats would be fined up to $500 per day for violating this law.

Delaware

In the First State, legislative Democrats recently introduced House Bill 131, making dog and cat sales at retail establishments illegal unless the shop is also an on-site residential breeder.

Essentially, only a site where a resident proprietor breeds pets can remain open, though the bill also has a carve-out for those selling no more than 1 litter per year.

Delaware’s bill doesn’t explicitly ban leasing space to shelters and other organizations, though it says the retail store must not have a financial stake in the sale of pets. It also bars pet shops from “disposing of” pets, making it unclear what shops must do to become compliant if the bill becomes law.

The act was introduced on 1 May and was referred to the House Health & Human Development committee.

Connecticut

The General Assembly in Connecticut is considering a bill that would ban most commercial sales of dogs, cats and rabbits in the state.

HB-5112, introduced in January, would prohibit pet shops from obtaining animals for auctioning, bartering, selling, leasing or transferring. In effect, it would ban retail sales of dogs, cats and rabbits. Pet shops would still be allowed to provide space for certain humane societies and shelters to display animals for sale.

The sponsors of the bill say that banning retail sales of pets can cut off the distribution network for so-called “puppy mills,” large-scale commercial breeders that frequently face allegations of animal cruelty.

Opponents argue that retail sale bans penalize small businesses unfairly while failing to go after low-quality commercial breeders.

The American Kennel Club publicly opposes the bill, saying “a Connecticut statewide ban on retail sale of pets meant to improve animal welfare would ironically drive an increase in the trafficking of unhealthy pets to consumers.” The group claimed that a ban would mean more adoptions from overseas, increasing the risk of scams and zoonotic disease transfer.

The bill was referred to the Assembly’s Committee on Environment in March. If it eventually passes both chambers of the state legislature, it will go into effect on 1 October 2025.