An Act relative to the sale of dogs and cats in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Bruce Ayers and 1 co-sponsor

Massachusetts would limit pet shops to sourcing dogs, cats, and rabbits from shelters, pounds, or cooperative rescue groups, with required sourcing records and signs.

Accompanied H967

Summary of H 893 — An Act relative to the sale of dogs and cats in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Overview

H 893, introduced February 27, 2025, seeks to regulate the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet shops in Massachusetts. The bill would insert a new provision (Section 39A½) into Chapter 129 of the General Laws, restricting the sources from which pet shops may obtain animals and creating recordkeeping, signage, and penalty requirements. A hearing is scheduled for October 21, 2025 (1:00 PM–5:00 PM, in A-1). The bill is being considered by the Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

What the bill would do (key provisions)

Source of animals for sale

A pet shop may not sell a live dog, cat, or rabbit unless the animal was obtained from one of the following sources:
A publicly owned animal pound
A public animal control agency or shelter
A shelter operated by the SPCA, a humane society shelter, or a rescue group that is in a cooperative agreement with at least one private or public shelter

Documentation and labeling requirements

Each pet shop must maintain records sufficient to document the source of every dog, cat, or rabbit it sells or provides space for, for a minimum of one year.
Each animal’s enclosure must display a conspicuous sign listing the name of the source from which the animal was obtained.
Public pounds, public animal control agencies, or shelters may periodically require access to these records.

Enforcement and penalties

A pet shop operator violating the section is subject to a civil penalty of $500.
Each animal offered for sale in violation constitutes a separate violation.

Who is affected

Pet shops in Massachusetts that sell dogs, cats, or rabbits.

Public pounds, public animal control agencies, shelters (including SPCA/humane society shelters), and rescue groups involved in cooperative arrangements with other shelters.

Consumers seeking to purchase companion animals, who may see increased transparency about animal sourcing.

Procedural and timeline context

Legislative track: Referred to the committee on Environment and Natural Resources on February 27, 2025.

Related actions: Similar measure previously filed as House Bill No. 747 in 2023-2024; the current bill is listed as HD 2163 (replaces).

Status update: Hearing scheduled for October 21, 2025 (01:00 PM–05:00 PM) in room A-1.

Potential impact and implications

Consumer protection and animal welfare: Aims to reduce puppy/kitten mills and improve welfare by ensuring animals come from shelters or cooperatively affiliated rescue groups.

Transparency and accountability: Requires source documentation and public signage at each animal’s enclosure.

Operational effects on pet shops: Likely requires changes to sourcing practices, recordkeeping systems, and potentially affects inventory if preferred sources are limited.

Note on detail

The text inserts new Section 39A½ into Chapter 129, establishing the stated requirements and penalties. No explicit exemptions or effective-date provisions are included in the provided language.