AN ACT AUTHORIZING MUNICIPALITIES TO PROHIBIT THE SALE OF DOGS, CATS AND RABBITS IN PET SHOPS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Raghib Allie-Brennan and 33 co-sponsors

Empowers Connecticut municipalities to ban the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet shops, shifting control to local governments and potentially boosting shelter adoptions.

AMENDMENT WITHDRAWN HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A

#cats #dogs #municipalities #ordinances #petshops

Purpose / Intent

This bill would give Connecticut municipalities the authority to adopt local ordinances that prohibit the retail sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in pet shops. The primary intent is to allow cities and towns to restrict commercial retail sales of these companion animals at the municipal level (for example, to encourage adoption from shelters or to address animal welfare concerns associated with some commercial breeding sources).

Key Provisions (based on bill title)

Authorizes (permits) municipalities to pass ordinances banning the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in pet shops located within their boundaries.

Establishes local control rather than a statewide ban — municipalities would choose whether to enact such prohibitions.

The bill title indicates the prohibition applies specifically to “pet shops” and to the species dogs, cats and rabbits.

Note: The full bill text (definitions, enforcement mechanisms, penalties, exemptions, effective dates, or language distinguishing types of sellers such as shelters, rescues, private breeders, or licensed dealers) is not included in the materials provided. Those details determine practical scope and are typically critical to implementation.

Who would be affected

Pet shops and other retail establishments that sell companion animals would be directly affected if located in municipalities that adopt an ordinance under this authority.

Animal shelters, rescues, private breeders, online sellers and consumers could be affected depending on any exemptions/definitions included in the final bill or local ordinances.

Municipal governments would gain new regulatory authority and may incur costs for ordinance drafting, enforcement and compliance monitoring.

Procedural / Timeline status

Introduced: January 29, 2025; referred to the Joint Committee on Planning and Development.

Public hearing held: January 30, 2025.

Joint Committee gave a Joint Favorable report: March 12, 2025; filed with LCO March 13, 2025.

Referred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis: March 21, 2025.

Favorably reported out of committee and placed on House calendar: March 27, 2025 (House Calendar No. 208; File No. 306).

Amendment withdrawn: June 4, 2025 (AMENDMENT WITHDRAWN HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A).

Potential impacts and considerations

Municipalities deciding to prohibit retail sales may increase demand for shelter/rescue adoptions; they may also alter the business model for pet shops (e.g., selling supplies only or facilitating adoptions).

Enforcement and compliance details (penalties, licensing impacts, carve-outs for shelters/rescues or licensed breeders) will determine legal and fiscal effects; those details are not available in the provided summary.

The Office of Fiscal Analysis review (requested) would estimate local and state fiscal impacts once bill text and likely adoption scenarios are clarified.

Takeaway: HB 6832 would empower local governments in Connecticut to ban the retail sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in pet shops, shifting the regulatory decision to municipalities; specific operational impacts depend on the bill’s detailed provisions and any subsequent local ordinances.

Bill