This week, the California Assembly Business and Professions Committee passed amendments to expand the state’s consumer protection laws. As amended, the bill now requires anyone who sells a dog – including breeders and rescues – to disclose certain information about the dog’s health and background at the time of sale.
Assembly Bill 506 is part of a package of bills brought forward this year to address concerns with fraudulent pet sales and brokers in the state, including a bill (AB 519) that would ban brokers from selling dogs in California. The AKC encouraged the author and committee to consider expanding consumer protection laws to hold all accountable who sell dogs in the state.
While not identical to AKC’s model language, as amended by committee, Assembly Bill 506 would require all sellers (including breeders and rescues. Publicly-owned shelters, however, are not included) :
- The original source of the dog. If this is unknown, then the seller must state that at the time of sale.
- A record of any inoculations and worming treatments
- A record of any veterinarian treatments/medications the dog received while in possession of the seller
- A statement signed by the seller declaring that either the dog has no known disease or illness and there are no known congenital or hereditary conditions at the time of sale that are likely to adversely impact the health of the dog in the future, OR
- A statement (if needed) of any known illness, disease, congenital or hereditary conditions likely to adversely impact the health of the dog in the future.
The bill would also prohibit nonrefundable deposits. AKC understands from the author that this will not impact breeders who take a deposit for a future litter/waiting list.
AKC thanks the committee and author for considering our recommendations, and for recognizing that consumer protection for breeders, rescues, and third party sellers is an effective solution for targeting disreputable sellers, and ensures that buyers have appropriate information to determine if the dog is the right fit for their family.
The bill now goes to the Assembly Appropriations Committee and AKC will provide more information when it becomes available.
For questions or more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.