Friday, September 12, is the final day for the California Legislature to vote on legislation. One bill nearing the finish line is Assembly Bill 506, which expands disclosure requirements for transferers of dogs (cats and rabbits, too) and increases consumer protection rights for purchasers of dogs. The bill, which includes some language recommended by AKC, applies to numerous sellers, including all dog breeders and rescues selling a dog to someone located in California.
The bill has already passed the state Assembly and awaits a vote in the state Senate.
Summary of Assembly Bill 506:
Requirements of transferer:
- A person, pet dealer, or business that sells a dog, cat, or rabbit to a purchaser located in California shall provide a written notice to the buyer purchaser or recipient of the dog, cat, or rabbit that states all of the following:
- The original source of the dog, cat, or rabbit, including, but not limited to:
- The breeder.
- If applicable, the United States Department of Agriculture license number associated with the breeder.
- The state that the dog, cat, or rabbit was born in.
- If any of this information is unknown, the seller shall state that this information is unknown and shall provide any related information known by the seller, seller’s agents, or seller’s employees. The record shall contain a statement that the information is complete and true to the best of the seller’s knowledge.
- The original source of the dog, cat, or rabbit, including, but not limited to:
- A record of inoculations and worming treatments administered, if any, to the dog, cat, or rabbit as of the time of sale, including dates of administration and the type of vaccine or worming treatment.
- A record of any veterinarian treatment or medication received by the dog, cat, or rabbit while in the possession of the person, pet dealer, or business and a statement, signed by the person, pet dealer, or business at the time of sale.
- No longer require or include non-refundable
Rights of Purchaser:
- A purchaser affected by a violation above may bring a civil action against the violator.
- The Attorney General, a county counsel, a district attorney, a city attorney, or a city prosecutor shall have the authority to enforce this law.
What You Can Do:
Contact your member of the California State Senate to urge them to support Assembly Bill 506. You can find and contact your State Senator here!
AKC Government Relations continues to monitor bills in California impacting dog owners and will provide updates. For questions or more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.