Overview
- Effective immediately, newly licensed pet shops cannot sell dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs or potbellied pigs.
- Thirteen existing licensed stores may continue sales until Nov. 6, 2028, with exemptions ending if ownership changes, a shop relocates, or a license is lost.
- Shops must meet new standards that include safe enclosures, separation of incompatible dogs, a written disease-control plan with quarantine space, clear price and kennel-of-origin displays, and veterinary health certificates within 10 days of sale.
- Consumer protections require a one-year warranty for dogs under 12 months and 30 days of pet insurance, and repeated or serious violations can trigger permit revocation.
- Illegal sales carry fines of $250 to $500 per violation and may be treated as misdemeanors or civil infractions, as supporters cite welfare concerns and opponents warn of impacts on existing businesses.