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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1154 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 650
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Patrick M. O'Connor
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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, and rabbits in pet shops.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Patrick M. O'ConnorFirst Plymouth and NorfolkMichael O. MooreSecond Worcester2/4/2025Michael D. BradySecond Plymouth and Norfolk2/7/2025James K. Hawkins2nd Bristol2/7/2025Manny Cruz7th Essex2/12/2025John C. VelisHampden and Hampshire2/12/2025Vanna Howard17th Middlesex2/14/2025Bruce E. TarrFirst Essex and Middlesex2/26/2025Adam J. Scanlon14th Bristol3/5/2025 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1154 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 650
By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 650) of Patrick M. O'Connor,
Michael O. Moore, Michael D. Brady, James K. Hawkins and other members of the General
Court for legislation banning the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet shops. Environment
and Natural Resources.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 550 OF 2023-2024.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act banning the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits 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. Section 39A of chapter 129 of the General Laws is hereby further amended
5by striking out, in line 13, the word “section”, and inserting in place thereof the following word:-
6subsection
7 SECTION 3. Section 39A of chapter 129 of the General Laws is hereby further amended
8by inserting after subsection (a) the following 3 subsections:- 2 of 2
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, or rabbit.
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, or rabbits for adoption so long as
14the 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, or rabbits.
17 SECTION 4. This act shall go into effect 90 days after its passage