The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) has proposed rule revisions to implement the changes from House Bill 1102 of 2021, which requires pet stores to disclose specific information to prospective dog purchasers.
Under the proposal, pet stores are required to:
- On all advertisements, including websites and social media posts, include the purchase price of the dog and any applicable federal or state license numbers for the breeder of the dog. If the dog is not from a licensed breeder or kennel, the pet store must state, “This dog is from a breeder or kennel that is not required to be state or federally licensed.”
- On the front of each enclosure, post a card that includes the purchase price of the dog and information on the dog’s breeder or kennel.
- Disclose to a prospective purchaser in writing, prior to sale, the purchase price of the dog; any financing or credit card offered; breeder federal or state license numbers; and a redacted list of all violations of any federal or state law the breeder, broker, or transporter received in the previous two years on a federal or state inspection report that is publicly available.
The proposal also requires each pet animal facility licensee to add an additional statement to the already-required written information that each licensee provides a prospective purchaser/adopter. The statement shall read, “This facility is regulated by the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Pet Animal Care Facilities Act (PACFA) Program.” and must include the PACFA web address and phone number.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
CDA will hold a public rulemaking hearing at 10AM on Friday, April 1, 2022. The hearing may be viewed on Zoom; or accessed via phone at 253-215-8782 (meeting ID 892 7872 1111, passcode 126402).
Any interested party may file written comments with the Commissioner’s office prior to the hearing, or present written data, views, or arguments at the hearing. Emailed comments should be sent to the hearing officer at Jenifer.Gurr@state.co.us.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact the American Kennel Club’s Government Relations Department – 919-816-3720, doglaw@akc.org.