1 of 1
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 552 FILED ON: 1/14/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 618
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Jason M. Lewis
_________________
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act banning the retail sale of dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs in pet shops.
_______________
PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Jason M. LewisFifth MiddlesexMichael O. MooreSecond Worcester2/3/2025Michael D. BradySecond Plymouth and Norfolk2/7/2025James K. Hawkins2nd Bristol2/7/2025Vanna Howard17th Middlesex2/18/2025John F. KeenanNorfolk and Plymouth2/26/2025Manny Cruz7th Essex2/26/2025Bruce E. TarrFirst Essex and Middlesex2/27/2025Adam J. Scanlon14th Bristol3/5/2025 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 552 FILED ON: 1/14/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 618
By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 618) of Jason M. Lewis, Michael O.
Moore, Michael D. Brady, James K. Hawkins and other members of the General Court for
legislation to ban the retail sale of dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs in pet shops. Environment
and Natural Resources.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
_______________
An Act banning the retail sale of dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs in pet shops.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Section 39A of chapter 129 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022
2Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting, in line 1, before the word “Every”, the
3following letter:- (a)
4 SECTION 2. Said section 39A of said chapter 129 of the General Laws, as so appearing,
5is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 13, the word “section”, and inserting in place
6thereof the following word:- subsection
7 SECTION 3. Said section 39A of said chapter 129 of the General Laws, as so appearing,
8is hereby further amended by inserting after subsection (a) the following 3 subsections:-
9 (b) No person engaged in the business of operating a pet shop for which a license must be
10obtained pursuant to subsection (a); and are regulated under 330 CMR 12.00 shall sell or offer
11for sale a dog, cat, rabbit, or guinea pig. 2 of 2
12 (c) Subsection (b) shall not be construed to prohibit a pet shop from offering space to an
13animal rescue or shelter organization to showcase dogs, cats, rabbits, or guinea pigs for adoption
14so long as the pet shop does not have an ownership interest in the animals offered for adoption.
15 (d) Nothing in subsections (b) or (c) shall affect the authority of any town, city, or other
16locality to regulate or prohibit the sale of dogs, cats, rabbits or guinea pigs.
17 SECTION 4. This act shall go into effect 90 days after its passage.