Delaware: Senate Committee to Consider Bill Banning Pet Sales on Wednesday
On Wednesday, March 25, the Delaware Senate Health & Social Services Committee will consider legislation prohibiting the sale of dogs and cats in retail pet stores.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) opposes HB 131 and encourages all concerned Delaware residents to share their opposition with the Committee. A statewide ban would eliminate regulated, transparent retail pet sales in Delaware and limit consumer access to pets from responsible breeders. While intended to address animal welfare concerns, the bill may instead drive consumers toward unregulated sources, reducing oversight and increasing risks to both pets and buyers.
Key Talking Points
Consider the following talking points when contacting the committee, and visit our key issue page in the AKC Legislative Action Center for more information on this issue:
- HB 131 would limit consumer access to responsibly bred pets by restricting pet stores to sourcing animals only from shelters or rescues. This targets highly regulated breeders who generally meet high standards of care and provide healthy, well-socialized pets.
- While such bans are touted to improve animal welfare, experience in other jurisdictions suggests retail bans can increase pet trafficking and fraud rather than improve animal welfare. A more effective approach is enforcing existing laws and targeting bad actors directly.
- Responsible pet ownership begins with access to accurate information and the ability to choose a pet that fits a family’s lifestyle. This bill limits that ability and reduces transparency in sourcing.
- The bill removes existing consumer protections currently available to pet store customers. Current Delaware law requires pet stores to provide disclosures, health guarantees, and remedies. These protections are not consistently required of shelters, rescues, or online sellers. Rather than getting a dog of a specific breed from a professional breeder subject to federal and state animal welfare laws, customers may be getting a dog with unknown background, temperament and health history. Also, there are rescues and transports that unfortunately do not care as diligently for the animals. This is a significant concern that can impact both the public health and the health of animals.
- As written, HB 131 creates confusion with existing Delaware law. It introduces a new definition of “breeder” – “any person who breeds and raises dogs or cats to sell, exchange, or otherwise transfer to the public. A “breeder” does not include an individual who sells a single litter of puppies or kittens or any part of a single litter during a calendar year. A “breeder” does not include an animal shelter, or animal rescue.” This definition is not necessary for the purpose of the bill, and may conflict with existing statutes, creating ambiguity and potential unintended consequences for responsible breeders already operating under established regulations.
What You Can Do
Contact the Senate Health & Social Services Committee members (click on the member’s name) prior to the 10:00 am hearing Wednesday, March 25, 2026. Urge the members of the Committee to oppose HB 131. Share your concerns about how this bill could harm responsible breeders and limit consumer choice.
Provide Oral Testimony by attending in-person in Senate Chamber, 411 Legislative Avenue
Dover, DE 19901, or by registering in advance for this webinar. Those planning to provide either in-person or virtual public comment are asked to sign up in advance using the Health & Social Services Committee webinar registration link found on legis.delaware.gov and here. Upon clicking the link, you will be directed to the webpage. After submitting the required information, you will receive an email containing the virtual meeting link and meeting ID. This agenda also includes options to join the meeting via telephone.
Submit Public Comments to the Committee to the Health & Social Services Committee’s email address at SenateHealthSocialServices@delaware.gov. Public comment provided in writing will be accepted prior to the committee meeting and up to 24 hours after the meeting is adjourned. All written public comments will be made part of the official record.
AKC Government Relations continues to monitor legislation in Delaware impacting dog owners. For questions or more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.