Legislative Alerts

December 28, 2023 Beginning January 1, 2024, those that breed between 5 and 11 intact females must comply with the new law regulating breeders.  The law (SB 876 signed by Governor Abbot in May of this year) will require anyone that both owns 5 or more intact females and is engaged in the business of […]

December 28, 2023 On Thursday, January 4, 2024, the New Hampshire (NH) Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hear public testimony on SB 541, which will restrict newly defined “retail pet stores,” including anyone with a physical facility who transfers more than 30 dogs per year at retail.  Residents and New Hampshire breeders are […]

December 15, 2023 On Wednesday, December 13, the Bakersfield City Council unanimously approved multiple changes to the animal control laws – including licensing and inspections of all breeders and owners of more than three dogs. You can read the adopted ordinances in detail here, but below are a few of the changes to local law: […]

The Knoxville City Council is scheduled to consider additional changes to the city animal ordinance on Tuesday, December 12, 2023. Measures will be considered to transfer certain Animal Control Unit functions to Young Williams Animal Center, modify the city Animal Control Board, and address funding. Additional proposals seek to, among other provisions, empower the animal […]

Summary: On Wednesday, December 13, the Bakersfield City Council will consider the adoption of multiple changes to the animal control laws – including licensing and inspections of all breeders and owners of more than three dogs.  This will likely be the final opportunity to oppose these draconian measures, so it is critical to voice your […]

A stakeholder meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 11, 2023, to discuss an animal ordinance that among other provisions seeks to establish overreaching requirements for individuals who may occasionally breed a single litter of puppies or kittens. As currently drafted, the proposed ordinance  would also require any individual who sells or transfers more than two […]

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry (Department) has proposed amendments to the rules applying to commercial pet breeders and animal shelters. Oklahoma’s Commercial Pet Breeders and Animal Shelter Licensing Act defines “commercial breeder/commercial pet breeder” as any individual, entity, association, trust, or corporation who possesses eleven or more intact female animals for the […]

Summary: On Wednesday, November 29, the Bakersfield City Council advanced the first reading of a proposal to overhaul the city’s laws related to dog ownership, dog breeding, and kennel licensing. While the agenda is not yet posted, it is likely this could be considered again on Wednesday, December 13.  It is essential that the council […]

On Friday, December 1, the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation (Commission) adopted the first round of rules to implement the 2023 changes to the state’s Dog or Cat Breeders Act.  These changes were needed to quickly implement rules for additional breeders who are required to comply with the law by January 1, 2024. SUMMARY […]

On January 3, 2024, HB 1102 will be introduced and referred to the New Hampshire House Environment and Agriculture Committee.  Not only would the bill seek to describe brachycephaly as a “birth deformity that causes suffering”, but it would also criminalize the sale and breeding of brachycephalic dogs and any dog that could be claimed […]