Yesterday, both chambers of the New Jersey General Assembly failed to act on bills banning retail pet stores that could have impacted home-based breeders.
AKC thanks our partner, the New Jersey Federation of Dog Clubs, and the many individuals who took the time to contact members of the General Assembly in defeating these bills. Your efforts have made a difference!
While this is a victory in the 2024-2025 session, the bills are likely to reappear and see potential actions as early as June 2026. Club members are encouraged to contact their State Senator and Assemblymember and ask them to not support these bills that as written could impact home-based hobby breeders. See previous alert.
During the last day of the voting session, the Senate did not include a bill banning retail pet stores from selling dogs, cats, and rabbits (S. 2511) on the calendar for consideration. This caused the Assembly leadership to pull the Assembly version of the bill (A. 4051) from the voting schedule.
Recent amendments to the bills included very unclear definitions and requirements for those meeting the definitions of “Kennel” and “Pet shop”; making it unclear whether hobbyists and home-based breeders would be considered pet stores and required to be licensed as such by the state simply because they sell a puppy “for personal appreciation and companionship” (those selling for business or research are not considered a pet store).
Call Your State Senator and Assemblymember:
With the likelihood of similar legislation coming before the Assembly early in the new session, it is imperative that you contact your Assemblymember and State Senator. Educate them with the facts so they can see through the emotional driven pleas offered by those who support limited consumer choice when it comes to obtaining a companion animal. Let them know you are a constituent and tell them that as written, Assembly Bill 4051 and Senate Bill 2511 could negatively impact the ability of people in New Jersey to obtain a high-quality, purebred dog from a responsible breeder.
Visit the New Jersey Legislative website and type in your address to get the name and contact information for your Assemblymember and State Senator.
AKC Government Relations will continue to provide updates on bills impacting dogs in New Jersey. Contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org with questions.