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HB 6167

Animals: pet shops; inspection and licensure of certain pet facilities; require. Amends title & secs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5a, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9b, 9c, & 10 of 1969 PA 287 (MCL 257.331 et. seq.) by adding sec 7a & repeals sec. 9d of 1969 PA 287 (MCL 287.339d).

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Erin Byrnes and 6 co-sponsors

Imposes a comprehensive licensing and inspection regime for pet shops, shelters, and kennels to standardize humane care, health requirements, and recordkeeping.

bill electronically reproduced 07/03/2026
#animals:other #animals:petshops
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Bill Summary · HB 6167

Overview

HB 6167 (Michigan, 2025-2026) aims to regulate and license facilities that handle companion animals, including pet shops, animal control shelters, animal protection shelters, and dog breeding kennels (small- and large-scale). The bill would establish licensing, inspections, vaccination/import requirements, recordkeeping, and fees, with an emphasis on standardizing humane care and monitoring across these facilities. It would repeal or modify prior provisions and add a new section on a license and enforcement regime.

Main purpose and intent

  • Create a comprehensive regulatory framework for the humane care, housing, handling, and placement of dogs, cats, and ferrets in commercial and rescue settings.
  • Require licensing and periodic inspections for pet shops, animal control shelters, animal protection shelters, and dog breeding kennels (both small- and large-scale).
  • Standardize intake, vaccination, import requirements, and health certifications to protect animal welfare and public health.
  • Establish penalties, administrative fines, and enforcement mechanisms for violations, along with fee structures that support regulatory activities.

Key provisions and changes

  • Definitions (Sec. 1): Introduces defined terms including adoption, alteration, animal control shelter, animal protection shelter, pet shop, small-scale and large-scale dog breeding kennels, foster facilities, and other relevant terms (e.g., pet health certificate, foster). Distinguishes cats, dogs, ferrets and clarifies breeding status and fostering concepts.
  • Rulemaking (Sec. 2): Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (the Department) would promulgate rules establishing:
    • Inspection procedures and licensing standards
    • Minimum housing, care, and handling standards
    • Standards for small- and large-scale dog breeding kennels
    • Standards for foster facilities and foster agreements
  • Licensing and inspections (Sec. 3–Sec. 5, Sec. 8):
    • Beginning Jan 1, 2027, licensure is required to operate animal control shelters, animal protection shelters, or pet shops (Sec. 3).
    • Applications for initial/renewal licenses must include detailed information (contact, facility address, animal capacity, emergency plan, etc.) (Sec. 4(1)).
    • Licenses require an initial fee of $500 and are valid for 1 year; fees may be adjusted every 5 years based on CPI (Sec. 4(3)-(6)).
    • The Department must conduct inspections prior to license issuance (Sec. 5(1)) and can inspect kennels (Sec. 5(2)).
    • Reinspections follow failed inspections; multiple failures can delay licensure, with penalties including a $250 fee for third/fourth inspections (Sec. 5(3)).
    • If the Department fails to act within specified timelines, it must refund a portion of the license fee (15% reduction on next renewal) and continue processing other applications (Sec. 5(6)-(7)).
  • Import and sale restrictions for dogs and cats (Sec. 5a):
    • Ban on importing dogs/cats under 8 weeks unless with dam (under certain entities) and prohibitions on selling or transferring such young animals.
    • Vaccination and health requirements prior to entry (distemper, parvovirus, canine adenovirus-2 for dogs; feline panleukopenia, calici, herpes for cats; rabies if age-appropriate).
    • Requirements for parasite treatment and interstate health certificates; vaccines (excluding rabies unless required) must be administered at least 7 days before entry.
    • Pet health certificates required for sale/adoption, valid for 30 days.
  • Registration and fees for larger operations (Sec. 6–Sec. 7a):
    • Municipalities and shelters must register with the Department; large-scale kennels require annual registration fees of $500 (Sec. 6).
    • Foster facilities have limits (no more than 8 adult dogs or cats at a time) and must maintain agreements on file; exemptions may be granted by shelters based on safeguards (Sec. 7).
    • Beginning Jan 1, 2027, small- and large-scale kennels must hold a license (Sec. 7a).
  • License timing, renewals, and processes (Sec. 8):
    • Licensing and registration for kennels and shelters require inspection and completed applications, with timelines and completeness standards similar to pet shops (Sec. 8).
    • License terms and renewal processes mirror pet shop provisions, including fee adjustments and timelines for approval/denial (Sec. 8).
  • Recordkeeping and reporting (Sec. 9c):
    • Mandatory, verifiable records for 2 years, including supplier information, animal identification, disposition, daily census, breeding records, and details of breeding females.
    • Facilities must provide records to the director or their representative on request.
  • Violations and enforcement (Sec. 9b):
    • Administrative remedies include suspending or revoking licenses and imposing fines up to $1,000 per violation.
    • Authority to seek declaratory judgments or injunctions, and to address noncompliance related to dog, cat, or ferret alterations (in specified contexts).

Who/what would be affected

  • Pet shops that sell or transfer dogs, cats, or ferrets.
  • Animal control shelters and animal protection shelters operated by municipalities, humane societies, rescues, or nonprofits.
  • Small-scale and large-scale dog breeding kennels (definitions based on number of intact female dogs).
  • Foster facilities and foster-based arrangements connected to shelters.
  • Veterinarians and accredited veterinarians may be involved in mandatory vaccinations and health certifications.
  • Local governments and shelters would need to register and comply with new regulatory requirements.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective licensing: January 1, 2027 for pet shops, shelters, and dog breeding kennels; initial registrations/approvals subject to inspection.
  • Fees: Initial license for pet shops and kennels generally start at $500 (pet shops) to $1,000 (large kennel) with CPI-based adjustments every 5 years beginning 2030.
  • Inspections: Mandatory pre-licensing inspections; reinspection protocols with fees for multiple failed inspections; timelines are enforceable (90-day review window for some license types; tolling upon deficiency notices).
  • Recordkeeping: Two-year retention of detailed records with periodic department access.
  • Vaccination/import rules: Phased requirements requiring age-based vaccination and health documentation before entry or sale of animals.

Potential impact

  • Raises regulatory oversight and accountability for facilities that breed, shelter, or sell dogs, cats, and ferrets.
  • Aims to improve animal welfare through standardized care, vaccination, and health documentation.
  • Increases compliance burden and costs for affected facilities (licensing fees, inspection costs, recordkeeping, and mandatory age-related vaccination/import rules).
  • Establishes enforcement tools (licensing sanctions, fines, and potential injunctions) to address violations.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with current Michigan law or a plain-language quick-reference checklist for facilities to prepare for implementation.

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

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