1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1155 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 651
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Patrick M. O'Connor
_________________
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 new pet shops.
_______________
PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Patrick M. O'ConnorFirst Plymouth and NorfolkMichael O. MooreSecond Worcester2/4/2025Marcus S. Vaughn9th Norfolk2/5/2025Michael D. BradySecond Plymouth and Norfolk2/7/2025John C. VelisHampden and Hampshire2/7/2025James K. Hawkins2nd Bristol2/7/2025Manny Cruz7th Essex2/12/2025Vanna Howard17th Middlesex2/18/2025Adam GomezHampden2/20/2025Patricia D. JehlenSecond Middlesex2/20/2025Bruce E. TarrFirst Essex and Middlesex2/26/2025Paul W. MarkBerkshire, Hampden, Franklin and
Hampshire
2/27/2025Kathleen R. LaNatra12th Plymouth3/5/2025Robyn K. KennedyFirst Worcester3/5/2025Adam J. Scanlon14th Bristol3/5/2025Steven S. Howitt4th Bristol3/5/2025Bradley H. Jones, Jr.20th Middlesex3/5/2025 2 of 2
Paul K. Frost7th Worcester3/5/2025David F. DeCoste5th Plymouth3/6/2025Ryan C. FattmanWorcester and Hampden3/6/2025Joanne M. ComerfordHampshire, Franklin and Worcester3/6/2025 1 of 3
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1155 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 651
By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 651) of Patrick M. O'Connor,
Michael O. Moore, Marcus S. Vaughn, Michael D. Brady and other members of the General
Court for legislation to ban the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in new pet shops.
Environment and Natural Resources.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 549 OF 2023-2024.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
_______________
An Act banning the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in new 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 is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 13, the
5word “section”, and inserting in place thereof the following word:- subsection
6 SECTION 3. Said section 39A is hereby further amended by inserting after subsection (a)
7the following 4 subsections:- 2 of 3
8 (b) No person engaged in the business of operating a pet shop regulated under 330 CMR
912.00 for which a license must be obtained pursuant to subsection (a) shall sell or offer for sale a
10dog, cat, or rabbit.
11 (c) Subsection (b) shall not be construed to prohibit a pet shop regulated under 330 CMR
1212.00 from offering space to an animal rescue or shelter organization to showcase dogs, cats, or
13rabbits for adoption so long as the pet shop does not have an ownership interest in the animals
14offered for adoption.
15 (d) Subsection (b) shall not apply to a pet shop lawfully selling or offering for sale dogs,
16cats, or rabbits in the Commonwealth on or before the effective date of this act, provided that: (i)
17the pet shop maintains a valid license to operate and engage in such sales; (ii) the pet shop
18remains in the same ownership as existed on the effective date of this act; (iii) the pet shop sells
19or offers for sale dogs, cats, or rabbits only from the location listed on the applicable license; and
20(iv) the specific type of animal sold by the pet shop, whether dog, cat, or rabbit, is an animal that
21the pet shop is documented to have engaged in selling or offering for sale for at least one year
22prior to the effective date of this act.
23 (e) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 43 of this chapter, a person who violates
24subsection (b) of this section shall be: (i) assessed a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 for the
25first offense, not more than $2,500 for the second offense, and not more than $5,000 for third and
26subsequent offenses; and (ii) subject to suspension or revocation of the pet shop license. Each
27advertisement or offer for sale or actual sale of an animal in violation of subsection (b) shall
28constitute a separate violation. 3 of 3
29 SECTION 4. Nothing in section 39A of chapter 129 of the General Laws shall affect the
30authority of any town, city, or other locality to regulate or prohibit the sale of dogs, cats, or
31rabbits.
32 SECTION 5. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2027.