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HB 5482

AN ACT REQUIRING CATS AND DOGS SOLD OR ADOPTED IN THE STATE TO BE PROPERLY VACCINATED BY THE ENTITY SELLING OR OFFERING SUCH PET FOR ADOPTION.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jimmy Sánchez

Requires all cats and dogs sold/adopted in the state to be vaccinated, protecting public health and animal welfare by reducing pet-borne disease risks.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Environment
#cats #dogs #immunization #petshops
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Bill Summary · HB 5482

Summary of HB 5482: Requiring Pet Vaccinations

Overview

This bill, introduced on March 14, 2025, would mandate that all cats and dogs sold or adopted in the state be properly vaccinated by the entity offering the pet for sale or adoption. The bill has been referred to the Joint Committee on Environment.

Key Provisions

  • Requires any pet shop, animal shelter, or other organization selling or adopting out cats and dogs to ensure the animals have received all recommended vaccinations prior to being sold or adopted.
  • Specifies that the required vaccinations include, at minimum, those for rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and any other core vaccines recommended by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
  • Directs the state's Department of Agriculture to develop regulations for implementing and enforcing the vaccination requirement.
  • Allows for exemptions to the vaccination mandate only if a licensed veterinarian provides a written certification that vaccination would be detrimental to the animal's health.

Potential Impact

  • This legislation aims to improve public health and animal welfare by reducing the risk of pet-borne diseases spreading through the sale or adoption of unvaccinated animals.
  • It would place new responsibilities on pet stores, shelters, and rescues to ensure proper vaccination of all cats and dogs in their care before the animals are sold or adopted out.
  • Consumers purchasing or adopting pets would have greater assurance that the animals they bring home have received critical immunizations.
  • The bill could face some opposition from pet sellers and adoption organizations concerned about the additional time, cost, and logistical challenges of complying with the vaccination mandate.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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